The National Judicial Council (NJC) has extended the acting tenure of Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The decision was taken at NJC’s emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The body has forwarded its resolution at the meeting to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who submitted Onnoghen’s name for confirmation.
The NJC took this action, as the Senate may not be able to confirm Onnoghen, before his original tenure expires on Friday.
“All the NJC members that attended the meeting were unanimous in the decision to re-nominate Justice Onnoghen. We have already forwarded the letter to the Presidency,” a source told FinancialWatch.
The extension letter sent to the Presidency was reportedly signed by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
According to section 231(5) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, “Except on the recommendation of the NJC”, Onnoghen’s appointment by President Buhari “shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appoint a person whose appointment has elapsed”.
