President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday forwarded the name of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, to the Senate for approval as the substantive CJN.
He also sought the approval of the upper legislative chamber to enable him to appoint 15 special advisers.
Buhari’s letters were read at a plenary session by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.
The President’s letter on the CJN read, “In accordance with Section 231 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which gives the President the power to appoint Chief Justice of Nigeria on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the Senate, I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“It is my hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The National Judicial Council had on Wednesday said it had recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari the appointment of Muhammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The NJC said this in a statement by its Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, on Wednesday.
Muhammad was sworn in as the Acting CJN on January 25 immediately after the then CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, was suspended by Buhari.
Buhari’s letter on the appointment of the 15 special advisers read, “Pursuant to provision of Section 151 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which confers on the President powers to appoint special advisers to assist him in the performance of his functions, I write to request the kind consideration of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint 15 special advisers.”
The letter did not give the names of the proposed appointees.