Ariwoola confirmed as CJN, speaks on ex-CJN Tanko’s leaked memo

The Senate has confirmed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Justice Ariwoola was confirmed after responding to few questions from lawmakers on the floor of the Senate.

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He has been acting as the CJN following the retirement of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Justice Muhammad resigned on health grounds on Monday, June 27, 2022. But that was barely two weeks after 14 justices of the apex court, in a widely circulated memo, accused him of neglecting their welfare, not carrying them along in managing the affairs of the court, the deteriorating condition of services generally, and the state of the litigation department.

But Justice Muhammad denied the allegations and condemned taking the issues to the public.

Speaking during the confirmation hearing, Justice Ariwoola said it was miraculous that the memo was leaked to the public because no justice had a copy of it.

“How the memo was leaked to the press is still a miracle to us. In fact, no justice has a copy of the memo. We (14 justices) sat together, wrote the memo, signed it and took it in person to our brother, the Chief Justice,” he said.