Buhari asks Senate to confirm Ariwoola substantive CJN

President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the Senate to confirm the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Buhari’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan on the floor on Tuesday.

Ariwoola has been acting as the CJN since Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad resigned as the head of the country’s judiciary.

Muhammad’s resignation came after 14 justices of the Supreme Court accused the CJN of abandoning his responsibilities as the leader of the court.

The judges also accused the CJN of going on foreign trips with his family while denying them the right to go on international training.

In the letter read by Lawan, the president hinged his request on Section 231 (1) of the constitution.

“Pursuant to section 231 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended; I forward for confirmation by the Senate of Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the chief justice of Nigeria,” Buhari said.