With just two days left to the expiration of the tenure of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, acting President Yemi Osinbajo tuesdaytransmitted his name to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive CJN.
Confirming this tuesday, a source close to the Office of the Senate President, said Senate President Bukola Saraki received the letter yesterday, requesting the upper chamber to screen and confirm Justice Onnoghen, a Cross River State indigene, as the substantive CJN.
Also, a ranking senator speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he was aware that the acting president had transmitted Justice Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation.
However, he cautioned that just because the presidency had transmitted Justice Onnoghen’s name, it should not expect the Senate to rubber stamp his nomination without a thorough investigative and screening process.
He also pointed that the Senate was currently on recess, so it would be left to Saraki to decide whether to reconvene the Senate to kick-start the screening process before Justice Onnoghen’s tenure as acting CJN lapses on Friday.
However, speaking through telephone on Wednesday morning on Channels TV, Sunrise Daily, Senate Spokesperson, Sabi Abdullahi, confirmed that the Senate has received a letter from President Buhari extending his vacation. Asked further if the upper House has received a letter from the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo advising the Senate to confirm as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, Senator Abdullahi said he is yet to be aware of such letter.
