Tanko Muhammad now CJN, as Senate concludes screening, confirmation process

Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad is now substantive hief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

He was confirmed by the Senate as new CJN following a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari seeking his confirmation as Chief Law Officer of the country.

The Senate confirmed his appointment on Wednesday after screening him behind closed doors.

Before his confirmation, Muhammad had been functioning in an acting capacity since the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the former CJN, in January.

President Buhari, in a letter sent to the upper chamber of the National Assembly, on July 11, asked that Muhammad be confirmed as the CJN.

President Buhari said in the letter, which was read by Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, that: “I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Tanko Muhammed for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria. In accordance with Section 231 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which gives the president the power to appoint a Chief Justice of Nigeria on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the Senate.”

Earlier in April, President Buhari obtained the NJC’s consent to extend Muhammad’s acting tenure by three months. On July 10, the NJC recommended Tanko Muhammad to be appointed as the substantive CJN.

Before his confirmation, Muhammad was screened by the Senate on the financial autonomy of the judiciary, administration of criminal justice and corruption in the judiciary, a media report said.

Born in 1953 in Bauchi State and called to bar in 1981, Muhammad rose through the ranks in the judicial system.

He previously served as the Chief Magistrate of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and a Judge at the Bauchi State Sharia Court of Appeal.

Before joining the Supreme Court in 2006, he served as a Justice at the Court of Appeal.