Buhari Swears-In Olukayode Ariwoola as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Bestows National Honour on Tanko Muhammad

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn-in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Justice Ariwoola on Monday afternoon, took the oath of office as the acting CJN during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja

President Buhari during the ceremony praised erstwhile CJN Tanko Mohammed for his modest contributions to Nigeria’s judiciary, and democracy. He said under Tanko’s watch, the judiciary judiciously exercised its powers as accorded by the constitution.

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Tanko Mohammed resigned barely a year into his retirement on health grounds.

Last year, Muhammad was reported to have travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to treat an undisclosed ailment.

Before his redignation, the former CJN was facing a crisis in the judiciary, after justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria earlier this month, called bim out over poor conditions of service and the welfare of its members.

However, President Buhari has bestowed on Muhammad, the second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

He urged the acting CJN to perform his duty impartially while assuring the Nigerian judiciary that his administration is committed to the independence of the judiciary and will uphold the rule of law and separation of powers.

Meanwhile, Justice Ariwoola says there is no controversy at the Supreme Court, insisting his predecessor left office on health grounds.

Asked about the issues raised by 14 justices regarding welfare, the acting CJN said It was an internal memo of the court and not a petition, issues he says are being resolved.

He spoke moments after his swearing- in by President Buhari.

ACTING CJN’s PROFILE

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was born on August 22, 1954. He was appointed a Judge of the Oyo State High Court in 1992 and later made a Justice of the Court of Appeal in November 2005.

On November 22, 2011, he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as Justice, and sworn-in by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Currently, he is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Nigerian Body of Benchers.

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