Hours After Resuming as Acting CJN, Justice Ariwoola, Addresses Allegations Against His Predecessor

Hours After Resuming as Acting CJN, Justice Ariwoola, Addresses Allegations Against His Predecessor

  • Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the acting chief justice of Nigeria has said that there is no controversy at the Supreme Court
  • The new chief justice made this statement in reaction to a petition by justices of the apex court against the treatment meted on them by the recently retired CJN Tanko Muhammad
  • Justice Ariwoola also assured that with support from his colleagues, the judiciary under his tenure shall not fail Nigerians

The newly sworn-in chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has reacted to the heap of allegations against his predecessor, Tanko Muhammad.

Daily Trust reports that Justice Ariwoola spoke to State House correspondents on Monday, June 27, after President Muhammadu Buhari had administered the oath of office to him at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Read also

President Buhari breaks silence on former CJN's resignation, confers biggest Nigerian award to Tanko

Tanko Muhammad, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola, Petition, allegations of corruption
Justice Ariwoola has said that there is no controversy at the Supreme Court as widely reported. Photo: Bashir Ahmad
Source: Twitter

Justice Ariwoola said that with support from his colleagues, the judiciary under his tenure shall not fail Nigerians.

His words:

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“What Nigerians expect from me is to comply, preserve and abide and protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And so be it.
"That is what I will do especially with the cooperation of my brother Justices of the Supreme Court. We shall not fail Nigerian."

The Punch added that reacting to questions on how the judiciary plans under his administration plan to address the allegations levelled against the recently retired CJN, Tanko Muhammad, the justice said there is no controversy in the Supreme Court.

He said:

“There is no controversy in the Supreme Court. We are one with the Chief Justice. That’s why you heard the President say His Lordship, is disengaging on the grounds of ill-health. No controversy we’re one.”

Read also

BREAKING: Tanko Muhammad resigned as CJN? aide opens up

Also addressing some of the issues raised by Supreme Court justices in a letter addressed to the CJN, Justice Ariwoola admitted it was an internal memo not a petition against anyone.

He noted:

"It was an internal memo of the court. It was not a petition. It was not a letter. It was addressed by the brother Justices of the Chief Justice and presented to him, His Lordship directly. There were issues to be resolved amongst justices.”
“Yeah, we’ve started resolving it.”

President Buhari breaks silence on former CJN's resignation, confers biggest Nigerian award to Tanko

President Buhari on Monday, June 27, conferred the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on the retired chief justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad.

Tanko received the award from the president hours after he resigned on health grounds as the CJN and handed office over to his successor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Read also

Corruption? 5 Major reasons Justice Tanko Muhammad resigns as CJN

Congratulating the former CJN for his service to the judiciary and the country, President Buhari said Tanko dealt firmly with the issues of the reckless and indiscriminate grant of ex-parte orders that was assuming serious dimensions.

Full list: Names of 29 candidates for shortlisted Supreme Court bench emerges hours after CJN's resignation

On Monday, June 27, the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) shortlisted 29 candidates in the ongoing appointment process to fill six vacancies on the Supreme Court bench.

The decision of the FJSC followed a letter from the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko requesting the nomination of suitable candidates for consideration for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Source: Legit.ng

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