President Muhammadu Buhari, has forwarded Justice Mohammed Tanko’s name to the Senate as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
Tanko was appointed acting CJN in January 2019, by Buhari following the suspension of the former CJN, Walter Onnoghen.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, made the disclosure during Thursday’s plenary.
The letter forwarded to the Senate by the President read in part: “I have the honour to forward the nomination of honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“It is my hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious cooperation of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The letter was read by the Senate President.
Justice Tanko, was until his appointment as acting CJN, the second most ranking Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Buhari who relied on Section 231, Subsection 1&2 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, said the confirmation of Tanko as CJN was in line with the provisions of the law.
According to Section 231, Subsection 1&2 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, “The appointment of a person to the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria shall be made by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of such appointment by the Senate.”
Recall that the NJC had On Wednesday recommended that Tanko be made the substantive CJN.
Also on Thursday, President Buhari transmitted a letter asking the Senate to approve the appointment 15 senior special advisers.
The names of the nominees for the offices were attached to the letter.
