The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has resigned from office.
Reports has it that Justice Muhammad resigned on Sunday night, June 26, citing ill-health as the reason for his decision.
Information also has it that arrangements are ongoing to swear in the next most senior justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
According to reports, a formal announcement will be made this morning.
Until his resignation, reports had it that Justice Muhammad was seriously ill. Only last week, 14 justices of the Supreme Court had written him a letter to lament the decrepit state of affairs in the apex court.
Muhammad has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2005 and was appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2019.
Meanwhile, following the resignation of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President Buhari is expected to swear in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting CJN today June 27.
Justice Ariwoola, who is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will be sworn in by 2pm at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
Sources said he will act as CJN pending the time his name will be forwarded to the Senate by the President for confirmation as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Born on 22 August 1954, Justice Ariwoola from Oyo state was formerly a Justice of the Court of Appeal before being elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 2011.
