President Muhammadu Buhari has bestowed the national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad.

Buhari made this known during the swearing in ceremony of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as acting CJN at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

The Star recalls that Justice Muhammad resigned as the CJN on Monday, citing ill-health as the reason for his decision.

Speaking on the development, Buhari hailed the former CJN, saying his era witnessed several landmark and policy decisions by the Supreme Court.

The President said Muhammad dealt firmly with the issue of reckless and indiscriminate grant of ex-parte orders that were assuming serious dimensions, adding that history will be kind to the ex-CJN for his modest contributions to Nigeria’s Judiciary, the strengthening of the country’s democracy and national development.

He said: “Nigeria’s Judiciary under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria Tanko Muhammed judiciously exercised the Judicial powers of the Federation. His era witnessed several landmark, jurisprudential and policy decisions by the Supreme Court, and by extension other Courts established by the Constitution.

“CJN Tanko dealt firmly with the issue of reckless and indiscriminate grant of ex-parte Orders that was assuming serious dimensions.

“History will be kind to Justice Tanko Muhammed for his modest contributions to Nigeria’s Judiciary, the strengthening of our democracy and national development.

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“In line with the custom of decorating Chief Justices of Nigeria with the second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, (GCON), and upon the advice of the Council of State in that regard, as his Lordship CJN I. Tanko Muhammed is taking a bow from the Supreme Court, I hereby bestow on him the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, (GCON).

“This occasion is an opportune time for me, to, as always, assure the Nigerian Judiciary that this administration is committed to ensuring the independence of the Judiciary and will not do anything nor take any steps to undermine your independence.

“We shall uphold the Constitutional provisions on the Rule of Law and the principles of Separation of Powers.”

Buhari, who later administered oath on Justice Ariwoola as the acting CJN, enjoined the Justices of the Supreme Court to always remain faithful and bear true allegiance to Nigerians.

“I want to admonish the Justices of the Supreme Court to always remain faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to remain steadfastly committed to the Oath of Allegiance which they all subscribed to, as contained in the 7th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Our Nation is approaching a critical general election in 2023, the Judiciary must not do anything to fail the ordinary people of Nigeria which may make them lose confidence in the Judiciary,” the President stated.