The Presidency has finally bowed to pressure from Nigerians
by nominating Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief
Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
The decision was announced on the twitter handle of the
Presidency @NGRPresident on Wednesday.
According to the tweet, “Hon. Justice W.S. Onnoghen’s name
has been sent to the Senate for confirmation as the next
CJN.”
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on November
10 named Onnoghen, the most senior justice of the Supreme
Court, as acting CJN, in line with recommendation by the
NJC. This followed the retirement of Justice Mahmud
Mohammed at the statutory age of 70.
Despite that Onnoghen’s tenure expired on February 10, the
President had been silent on his confirmation, an action that
has drawn so much condemnation from a cross section of
Nigerians.
A Lagos-based lawyer had earlier in the week dragged the
President, his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President,
Senator Bukola Saraki, and the Attorney General of the
Federation, AGF, Justice Abubakar Malami before a Lagos
High Court over the non-confirmation of Onnoghen.
See screen shot below:
