BREAKING: Justice Tanko Muhammad resigns as CJN

 

Justice Tanko Muhammad has resigned as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

 

Citing sources, Channels Television confirmed that he resigned on Sunday night on the grounds of ill-health.

 

When contacted, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to CJN, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, said, “All I know is that he’s going to declare open a workshop this morning at the NJI (National Judicial Institute).”

 

Other attempts to reach close associates of the CJN, such as Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), proved abortive as they didn’t take their calls.

 

Plans are underway to appoint Olukayode Ariwoola, the next-highest ranking justice of the supreme court, as interim chief justice of Nigeria.

 Last week, in a letter,14 justices of the apex court accused the CJN of abandoning his responsibilities as the leader of the court.

 

The judges also accused the CJN of going on foreign trips with his family while denying them the right to go on international trainings.

 

Some of the issues raised by the justices include — accommodation, vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, internet services to justices’ residences, training for justices and epileptic electricity supply to the court.

 

It was also learn there was a memo from the judges to the presidency, highlighting all of the CJN’s financial dealings, and stating that they would stop sitting from September if he is not removed.

 

However, the CJN in a statement issued by his spokesman, Isa Ahuraka, said he did not want to join issue with the justices, adding that the circulation of the letter is akin to “dancing naked at the market square”.

 

The Supreme Court is yet to release a formal statement on the resignation.

 

A source disclosed that the justices of the apex court are currently in a meeting.

More details shortly…