By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad will today face the senate for screening during plenary; a process which outcome will determine if his nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari will be confirmed by the legislature.
Yesterday, the Senate listed this item on its order paper, but resolved to commence the screening at plenary session today, in other words, called committee of the whole.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan who will preside over the screening exercise today, disclosed during yesterday’s plenary session that all the relevant credentials of the acting CJN have been distributed to senators for study ahead of the screening to enable them ask relevant questions.
“Distinguished colleagues, please study the documents already distributed in preparation for screening and possible confirmation of Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)”, he said.
Recall that Justice Tanko Muhammad has since January been serving as CJN in acting capacity following the suspension of former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen for false asset declaration.
As a measure to confirm him from acting to substantive CJN, President Muhammadu Buhari had last week Thursday forwarded to the Senate a letter requesting for confirmation of Tanko Muhammad as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The President in the letter said the nomination was sequel to recommendation made by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The letter titled : Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria “reads” 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. I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“It is my hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”
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