President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This is contained in a letter read at Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Buhari said the confirmation request was in line with constitutional provisions and urged the Red Chamber to consider his request in the usual expeditious manner. Justice Ariwoola has been acting as the CJN following the retirement of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.
Justice Muhammad resigned on health grounds on Monday, June 27, 2022. But that was barely two weeks after 14 Justices of the Supreme Court raised a petition on allegations of corruption against him. The aggrieved Justices included Ariwoola, Justice Musa Mohammed, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Justice John Okoro, Justice Chima Nweze, Justice Amina Augie, and Justice Uwani Abba-Aji.
Others were Justice Mohammed Garba; Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, Justice Adamu Jauro, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, and Justice Emmanuel Agim.
In the memo, the apex court Justices accused the former CJN of non-payment of their legitimate entitlements, including poor working conditions.
