UPDATED: Tanko Now Substantive CJN As Senate Confirms Nomination

Justice Tanko Muhammad’s nomination as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has been confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday.

Muhammadu’s confirmation followed his grilling for close to 2 hours by the upper legislative chamber.

The Senate posed questions bordering on corruption, administration of criminal justice and the poor funding of the judiciary to Muhammadu, after which he was confirmed as the substantive CJN after answering the questions.

The CJN had served in acting capacity in the last six months.

President Muhammadu Buhari swore him in as acting CJN on January 25, 2019, immediately after suspending the former CJN, Walter Onnoghen, over allegation of false asset declaration.

Buhari had last week Thursday requested the Senate to confirm Muhammad as CJN “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 and subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the Senate.”

In confirming the CJN’s nomination, Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan had first asked the lawmakers to “study the documents already distributed in preparation for screening and possible confirmation.”

Until his appointment as acting CJN, Muhammad served a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2006.

He previously served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 1993 to 2006.

Prior to this time, the new CJN served as a Kadi (Judge) at the Sharia court of appeal in Bauchi State from 1991 to 1993, and as a Provost of the College of Islamic and Legal studies, Bauchi State, from 1986 to 1989.

Muhammad was born on December 31, 1953. He studied Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and also obtained his M.SC and PhD from ABU.