By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Senate President, Mr bukola Saraki, has felicitated with the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was confirmed today by the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.
Justice Onnoghen, who was screened on Wednesday by the Senators, was confirmed for the position after holding the post in an acting capacity for about three months.
Mr Saraki, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page today, described Justice Onnoghen’s screening as a “major milestone in the progress of our democratic process.”
“On behalf of my distinguished colleagues, I congratulate Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, CFR, for his well-deserved elevation to the highest judicial office in the land,” Mr Saraki said in his post.
According to him, “all arms of government have played their parts exactly as envisaged in our constitution.”
“This achievement should underscore the inspiring reality that a Nigerian can rise to any position he merits,” the Senate President said.
He expressed his colleagues’ desire to have a “productive engagement between the legislature and judiciary under the leadership of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
Mr Saraki promised that, “The Senate will collaborate with the two other arms to support critical reforms and other initiatives that will improve the integrity and the impact of the judiciary as put Nation deepens it’s democratic foundations in the lives of its citizens.”
Concluding, the Senate President wished Justice Onnoghen “a most fruitful tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
Adedapo Adesanya