The uncertainty surrounding the status of Justice Walter Onnoghen was brought to an end Wednesday as Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo nominated him as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The decision was announced in a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari’s handle on Wednesday.
“Hon. Justice W.S. Onnoghen’s name has been sent to the Senate for confirmation as the next CJN,” the tweet said with an accompanying link to Mr. Onnoghen’s biography on the Supreme Court website.
The announcement came four months after Mr. Onnoghen was first recommended to Mr. Buhari as the next head of the country’s judiciary.
Justice Walter Onnoghen, when confirmed by the senate, will be the first southern head of the supreme court in about 30 years.