The new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, pledged before the Senate which confirmed him today, Wednesday, that he would deal with endemic corruption that has damaged the reputation of the judiciary in Nigeria.
“We all agree there is corruption in the Judiciary. We are working to stem this and encourage transparency in our dealings,” he said during his screening by the Senate which led to his being confirmed as new CJN.
He acknowledged that before now, the Nigerian judiciary had been flawed and expressed his readiness to use his tenure to stamp out corruption.
Justice Onnoghen was sworn-in by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 10, 2016, after the retirement of the immediate past CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed. His appointment is in line with the tradition of appointing chief justices based on seniority and in accordance with section 230 subsection (iv) and section 231 subsection (I) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His confirmation today, Wednesday followed his nomination by Nigeria’s acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, who sent his name to the Senate on February 8, just two days before the expiration of his three-month acting tenure
“Following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), I hereby notify you of the appointment of Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria,” Osinbajo said in a letter sent to the Senate.
After the screening, mainly through series of questions, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, announced: “the screening, clearance and entire exercise was another milestone in our democratic process. We hope that he will continue to ensure that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.”
He called on the CJN to build a closer relationship with the other arms of government.
“We look forward to a productive relationship with the legislative arm of government for the interest of our great country,” Saraki said.
The Senate president congratulated Justice Onnoghen and wished him a fruitful tenure as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Justice Onnoghen, 67, was born in Kruiku Town, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State. He bagged his Law degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1977 before his BL certificate at the Nigerian Law School in 1978.
He started his career as a Pupil State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in 1979, after which he ventured into private practice.
In 1989, he returned to public service as judge in the High Court of his native Cross River State.
He joined the federal judicial service in 1998 as Justice of the Court Appeal, a position he held until 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.
Having been confirmed by the Senate, Justice Onnoghen is now due to be sworn-in by the President, or the Acting President, as the 20th Chief Justice of Nigeria. [myad]
