CJN: Tanko Muhammad resigns Chief Justice of Nigeria

Chief Justice
Justice Tanko Muhammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),

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

He was said to have taken the decision on health grounds.

The CJN’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Isah Ahuraka confirmed this on Monday, June 27, 2022.

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Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is the next most senior after Justice Mary Odili retired on May 12 after attaining the retirement age of 70.

Justice Muhammad was born on Dec. 31, 1953.

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

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

His Lordship then proceeded to Abdullahi Bayero University College, Kano for his IJMB from 1975 to 1976. After successful completion of his course, His Lordship got admission to read Law at Ahmadu Bello University, 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, His Lordship went back to ABU, Zaria in 1987 to 1998 and obtained his Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Law, also on a part-time basis.

President Muhammadu Buhari swore in Tanko as CJN in January 2019 following the suspension and later sack of former CJN Walter Onnoghen.

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