The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has resigned.
According to reports from channels, Justice Muhammad resigned on Sunday night, citing ill-health as the reason.
However, information reaching us is that, plans are being made to appoint the next most senior Supreme Court justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
A formal announcement is expected soon, according to reports.
According to reports, Justice Muhammad was gravely ill prior to his resignation.
Only last week, 14 Supreme Court justices wrote him a letter lamenting the deterioration of the apex court.
The Justices accused the CJN in the leaked letter of refusing to address the issues despite drawing his attention to them.
At the court, they complained about a lack of residential accommodations and vehicles.
The justices also accused the CJN of going on foreign trips with his “spouse, children, and personal staff” while not allowing them to travel with an assistant.
Despite the volume of cases being heard, the justices lamented the lack of legal research assistants.
The justices stated that they have been confined to work between the “hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, for lack of diesel,” after being informed of the development by the Supreme Court’s Chief Registrar, Hajo Bello.
Meanwhile, despite reports of resignation, Justice Tanko Muhammed did not attend the start of the National Judicial Institute’s training for judges on Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Although, no Supreme Court Justice is present at the event.
The Institute’s training of judges is usually declared open by the CJN or one of his representatives. However, the session has been opened by the Institute’s Administrator, Justice Garba.
