Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, is moving to send the name of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to the National Assembly for confirmation as the substantive CJN, the Punch reports.
According to the newspaper, Osinbajo was set to send Onnoghen’s name to the Senate this week to beat the February 10 date, when the Supreme Court’s Justice acting appointment is expected to expire.
A source familiar with the arrangement said the nomination would be sent to the Senate on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“I can confirm to you that Onnoghen’s name will be sent to the Senate this week. The name will be sent today (Tuesday) or Wednesday before February 10 that his acting appointment will expire,” the source stated.
If his nomination is confirmed as the nation’s 17th CJN, Onnoghen, who hails from Cross River State, will become the first southern justice to head the judiciary in about 30 years.
Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, who retired in 1987, was the last southern CJN.
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