Court Fixes Date To Deliver Ruling In Case Against Acting CJN Tanko

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled July 12, 2019 to ruling in the suit seeking to halt the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad, as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The suit against the Acting CJN was filed by the Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation.

After both parties made their final submissions for and against the suit, Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date for delivering judgement.

The plaintiff had prayed the court to declare that Justice Muhammad Tanko is not a proper and fit person to be recommended for appointment to head the judiciary.

Responding, Justice Muhammad urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked the necessary locus standi to file the suit in the first place.

He stated that his appointment as Acting CJN was made shortly after the former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, was suspended from office based on the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

In his submission, the Acting CJN stated that President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed him is legally vested with the powers to suspend a CJN including Onnoghen.

He urged the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit against his appointment.