Buhari swears-in Ibrahim Muhammad as substansive CJN

• by Olusegun Edwards
• 0 Comments

Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has become the substansive chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), following his swearing-in by President Muhammadu Buhari. His confirmation came after over six months as acting CJN, following his appointment on the 25th January, 2019, President Buhari.
The swearing in ceremony took place at the Aso Rock villa, Abuja on Wednesday morning, exactly a week after his appointment as the substantive CJN was confirmed by the senate.
Yemi Osinbajo, vice-president; Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives; and Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, were among those in attendance.
Muhammad has been occupying the office of CJN in acting capacity since January.
He took over the office after Buhari suspended Walter Onnoghen over alleged misconduct.
Born December 31, 1953, Muhammad obtained his West Africa School Certificate in 1973. He was awarded a law degree by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1980.
He later obtained master’s and doctorate degrees from the same university in 1984 and 1998 respectively.
In 1981, he was appointed as chief magistrate of the high court of the federal capital territory (FCT). He held that position till 1991.
Muhammad was appointed as a justice to the court of appeal bench in 1993. In 2006, he was appointed as a supreme court justice after spending 13 years at the appellate court.
His appointment as acting CJN, had followed the suspension of the former CJN, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, on the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, over failure of assets declaration .
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad until his appointment , was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2006.
Prior to that period he served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 1993 to 2006.
He was a Kadi (Judge) at the Sharia court of appeal in Bauchi State, from 1991 to 1993.
Justice Muhammad was also a Provost of the College of Islamic and Legal studies, Bauchi State from 1986 to 1989.
Born December 31st, 1953 Justice Muhammad is a Law graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and also bagged his M.SC and PhD in the same institution of higher learning.