President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday accepted the resignation of Nigeria’s former chief justice, Walter Onnoghen.
The President’s decision was contained in a statement issued by the presidency on Sunday night by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu.
The statement read, “President Buhari has accepted the voluntary retirement from service of Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria, effective from May 28, 2019.
“The president thanked Justice Onnoghen for his service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wished him the best of retirement life.”
The statement also noted that President Buhari has written the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, on the appointment of an additional five justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The statement continued, ‘‘Pursuant to the provisions of Section 230(2) A&B of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to request that you initiate in earnest the process of appointing additional five Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to make the full complement of 21 Justices as provided by the aforementioned provisions of the Constitution.
‘‘This is in line with the Government’s Agenda of repositioning the Judiciary in general and Supreme Court in particular for greater efficiency, with a view to reducing the backlogs of appeals pending at the Supreme Court.
‘‘Please accept, your Lordship, the assurances of my highest regards.’’
Onnoghen who tendered his resignation in April shortly before the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended his compulsorily retirement for misconduct was subsequently convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
He is barred from holding public office for 10 years.
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