· *As Justice Muhammad resigns abruptly
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola may be sworn in on Monday as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) following the sudden resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad.
The news of Justice Muhammad’s resignation, as Chief Justice of Nigeria, broke on Monday morning with sources claiming the former CJN resigned for health reasons.
However, sources in the Presidential Villa, said Justice Ariwoola’s swearing-in ceremony may not hold so soon.
The source said, “There’s no swearing-in at 2pm. I have checked from those in charge of the President’s schedules and they said there’s nothing like that today. However, because of the urgency and as there can’t be vacuum in the office, I think it might come up tomorrow although it’s still not on the schedule for tomorrow.”
It was gathered from other outside sources, that Justice Ariwoola, who is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will act as CJN pending when his name will be sent to the Senate by President Buhari for confirmation as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Born on August 22, 1958, Justice Ariwoola, from Oyo State, was at some point a Justice of the Court of Appeal before being elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 2011.
A while ago, the media aide of former Chief Justice, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah confirmed in a terse statement that his principal has resigned.
Although Isah had earlier denied knowledge of the development, he said the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola would be sworn-in later on Monday by President Mohammadu Buhari.
Justice Muhammed had last week been embroiled in allegations of graft when 14 Justices accused him of corruption.
Details later…
