Less than 24 hours to the expiration of tenure of office of the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, reportedly appointed the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The appointment is to lapse after three months.

Buhari invoked section 230 (4) of the 1999 Constitution to name Onnoghen as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The section provides: “if the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the President shall appoint the most senior justice of the Supreme Court to perform those functions.”

Bar and Bench Watch reports that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had recommended the most senior justice of the Supreme Court to President Muhammadu Buhari.

But rather than send the name of Justice Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation to enable him approve his appointment as the next CJN, President Buhari sat on the NJC’s recommendation.

Feelers that President Buhari might not approve Justice Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria emerged a couple of months ago.

It was even rumoured that the sting operation by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) was targeted at Justice Onnoghen.

culled from www.benchwatch.com

3months is too much, he shld reduce it to 3 hours

Mttcheeeeew..... Useless terrorist

For three months... Hmm bubu has invariably subjected Onoghen under probationership. If he dances to his "tune" he stays..if otherwise he is fired... Whatever will be will be

ok

One chance govt.

Wow,finally buhari has appointed justice walter my uncle as cjn.all haters are disappointed.he has splashed cross river state with so much appointments.up apc,up buhari

My opinion is that the three months will be enough for security clearance and Senate approval

bubu is a die hater of the south.akpamu

sleazy5:
For three months... Hmm bubu has invariably subjected Onoghen under probationership. If he dances to his "tune" he stays..if otherwise he is fired... Whatever will be will be

He cannot fire him no matter what happens only the NJC can sack any judge.Furthermore he had no choice as the constitution specifically stated that the MOST SENIOR justice of the supreme court will be the one to be appointed CJN

To the e-diots above, posts like this will first start on a temporary term. He sure will get confirmed and made permanent after this temporary appointment.
Wail with sense.