The National Judicial Council has approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for the extension of appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria for another three months.
The decision which is contained in a statement, issued by Soji Oye, Director, Information of NJC, said the decision was taken on at the 88th Council Meeting.
Oye said: “The NJC has since forwarded its approval to the President.”
NAN reports that on January 25, Buhari suspended the then CJN, Walter Onnoghen, pending the completion of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The President announced the suspension at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
He said the action followed the order of the CCT directing him to suspend Onnoghen, pending the completion of his trial.
The President consequently swore in Justice Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Mohammed who hails from Bauchi state is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court.
NAN reports that the CCT convicted Onnoghen on Thursday, banning him from holding public office for a period of ten years.
![NJC approves Buhari’s request to appoint Tanko as acting CJN To match Interview NIGERIA-BUHARI/](https://theeagleonline.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/PRESIDENT-BUHARI-1-e1522317188447.jpg)
Muhammadu Buhari, former Nigerian military ruler and presidential candidate for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) speaks during an interview with Reuters at a private residence in Lagos February 19, 2011. Buhari, the main opposition candidate in Nigeria's presidential election, said he was optimistic it would be a more credible race than in the past but warned events in north Africa showed people would no longer accept a rigged vote. Picture taken February 19, 2011. To match Interview NIGERIA-BUHARI/ REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye (NIGERIA - Tags: POLITICS HEADSHOT)