BUHARI FINALLY ACCEPTS ONOGHEN’S RETIREMENT

However, on update on the development, the President spokesman,Garba Shehu,  on Sunday night announced the President’s decision, adding that, “President Buhari has accepted the voluntary retirement from service of Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria, effective from May 28, 2019. The president thanked Justice Onnoghen for his service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wished him the best of retirement life,”.

Penpushing further reports that, the statement added that,  President Buhari has written the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, on the appointment of an additional five justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

‘‘Pursuant to the provisions of Section 230(2) A&B of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to request that you initiate in earnest the process of appointing additional five Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to make the full complement of 21 Justices as provided by the aforementioned provisions of the Constitution”.

‘‘This is in line with the Government’s Agenda of repositioning the Judiciary in general and Supreme Court in particular for greater efficiency, with a view to reducing the backlogs of appeals pending at the Supreme Court. Please accept, your Lordship, the assurances of my highest regards.’’