Justice Muhammad resigns as CJN

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, has resigned from his position.

It was gathered that Justice Muhammad resigned on Sunday night, citing ill-health as the reason for his decision.

Credible sources disclosed that arrangements are ongoing to swear in the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as the acting CJN.

It was further learnt that a formal announcement would be made shortly.

Muhammad was sworn in as CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019 following the suspension and later sack of former CJN Walter Onnoghen.

He was born on December 31, 1953.

He hails from Doguwa, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Justice Muhammad attended primary school at Giade Primary School from 1961 to 1968. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Azare from 1969 to 1973.

He then proceeded to Abdullahi Bayero University College, Kano for his IJMB from 1975 to 1976.

After successful completion of his course, Muhammad got admission to read Law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria from 1976 to 1980.

He attended Nigerian Law School from 1980 to 1981.

In furtherance of his educational career, Justice Muhammad went back to the prestigious ABU, Zaria for his Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) on a part-time basis, from 1982 to 1984.

In order to update himself in the field of Law, he went back to ABU, Zaria in 1987 to 1998 and obtained his Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Law, also on a part-time basis.

Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria have a mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

The Star