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Buhari to swear in Justice Ariwoola as CJN

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to swear in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) today, following the resignation of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad on health grounds.

Justice Ariwoola, who is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, next in line to Muhammad, will be sworn-in today by 2pm, according to reports.

Born on 22 August 1958, Justice Ariwoola was formerly a Justice of the Court of Appeal before his elevation to the Supreme Court bench.

He is a member, Nigerian Bar Association, member, International Bar Association and member, Nigerian Body of Benchers.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) is expected to have sent sent a quick recommendation of Justice Ariwoola to President Muhammadu Buhari as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

President Buhari is also expected to swear him in as acting CJN and thereafter send his nomination as substantive CJN to the Senate for confirmation hearing.

NJC is a creation of section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with powers to hire and fire erring judicial officers in the country.

Ariwoola benefits from the tradition of the court where an incumbent head of court vacates office either by reason of death, retirement, resignation or sack, the next most senior judicial officer in the court takes over.

Justice Tanko Muhammad was the second Chief Justice of Nigeria to have resigned his appointment in the last four years.

Justice Tanko Muhammad took over from Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen who also bowed out of the bench before he clocked the mandatory retirement age of 70 years under controversial circumstances.

Justice Tanko was born in December 1953.

But for his resignation, he was supposed to steer the ship of the apex court till December 2023.

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