Ebun Francis
Hours after the Presidency forwarded Justice Walter Onneghen’s name to the senate for confirmation as Chief Justice of the Federation, the National Judicial Council (NJC), has extended his tenure as the acting Chief Justice Of Nigeria, by another three months.
The NJC made the decision on the grounds that it may be impossible for the Senate, which is currently on recess to reconvene and screen Onnoghen before Friday, when tenure as acting CJN would expire.
The resolution has been forwarded to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo.
The nomination of Justice Onneghen who has been a justice of the Apex court since 2005 was contained in the presidency’s twitter handle earlier Wednesday, saying: “Hon. Justice W.S. Onnoghen’s name has been sent to the Senate for confirmation as the next CJN.”
If confirmed by the Upper Legislative Chamber, he would be the first CJN from the southern part of the country in about 30 years.
