Nigeria’s Senate confirms Ariwoola as CJN
The Nigerian Senate, which earlier Wednesday concluded its screening of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has confirmed him as the substantive CJN.
The confirmation of Ariwoola as CJN was sequel to his answering of questions asked by the Senators and he was asked to take a bow at about 12.45pm.
The DEFENDER recalls that the Senate had on July 26, 2022 received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari seeking for the screening of Justice Olukayade Ariwoola, who has been in acting capacity as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), and confirming him to be a substantive CJN.
President Buhari, in the letter dated 25th July, 2022 and read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had said, “Pursuant to Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“While I hope that the submission will be considered in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Justice Ariwoola’s appointment as CJN by President Buhari was sequel to the resignation of former Chief Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Tanko on 27th June, 2022 on health grounds and had, subsequently, last month, sworn him in as the acting CJN.
With his confirmation by the Senate, Ariwoola has become the third individual to occupy the top Judiciary job of the country in the life of this administration.
Recall that Justice Walter Onnoghen also became the CJN under the President Buhari administration before he resigned from office on issues bothering on corruption and abuse of office.
