FJSC Okays Justice Onnoghen As CJN

By Dipo Olowookere

Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen has been pencilled down to become the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Justice Onnoghen is presently the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court and was nominated by the judicial body to take over from the current CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who is expected to step down on November 10, upon clocking the 70 years mandatory retirement age.

Justice Onnoghen was okayed for the position by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) in Abuja.

Already, the Justice’s name has been forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC), which will in turn forward same to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval.

Though section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, conferred on President Buhari the power to appoint a CJN on the recommendation of the NJC, it however stressed that such appointment must be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Justice Onnoghen will clock 70 on December 20, 2020.