Efio-Ita Nyok|9 February 2017
Mr Walter Nkanu Onnoghen the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in acting capacity has been renominated for the office of CJN by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as his tenure expires on Friday 10th February NegroidHaven can report. This decision was arrived at an emergency meeting which held on Wednesday 8th February.
The NJC took this decision taking cognizance that the Senate which is presently on a recess, will have challenges reconvening to screen Onnoghen before Friday when his constitutional three months tenure as Acting CJN would expire.
Thus, in line with section 231(5) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, NJC, urged the Acting President to extend Onnoghen’s acting tenure for another three months. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad who is the second highest ranking justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria endorsed the extension letter.
It will be recalled that President Buhari had on November 10, 2016, okayed him to head the judiciary in acting capacity implying that by tomorrow 10th February his tenure expires.
Onnoghen who will be 70 years old come 20 December 2020 and was elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 2005 will be the next southerner to be judge after Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe who held sway as the CJN in 1985.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org
