President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday appointed Justice Dahiru Musdapher as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, in line with the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

Musdapher, who replaces Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, who retires today (Sunday), would be inaugurated by Jonathan on Monday, August 29, 2011, in the State House.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Musdapher’s appointment would be confirmed by the Senate.

Until then, he will hold the position of CJN in acting capacity.

The statement read, “The president has in the exercise of the powers conferred on him has approved the appointment of Justice Dahiru Musdapher, CFR, as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria pending Senate confirmation.

“The NJC had recommended the appointment of Musdapher, as CJN to replace the outgoing CJN who is due to retire from the Bench on Sunday, 28th August 2011 ,when he attains the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.”

Pukkah:

Katsina-Alu, whose swearing-in was controversial, is also leaving behind a controversy-ridden Judiciary. This is the challenge for Musdapher, after his confirmation.

jacobs123:

PLEASE When will this Musdapher guy be 70 years old?

afam4eva:

Why are all the Chief justices of the supreme court always from the North. Where's the federal presence in the judiciary.

afam4eva:

I think this federal "aboki" presence should be booted out of the window. It favours them more than it favours southerners.They dominat the Judiciary, Military, Government, Civil service and any government business. Any outsider will thing they're the most educated and exposed.

afam4eva:

I think this federal "aboki" presence should be booted out of the window. It favours them more than it favours southerners.They dominat the Judiciary, Military, Government, Civil service and any government business. Any outsider will thing they're the most educated and exposed.

klas:

Sometimes I wonder about the significance of the south lead in western education if it cannot be used strategically to its advantage. In the succession list I posted above, one would think that there are no southerner supreme court justices. There are but supreme court justices are categorised as the chief justice and all others are associate justices. They are ranked by seniority on bench and must retire by age of 70. If you clock 70 as associate justice when you have a chief justice who is younger than you, you will never become a chief. North always take this into calculation since 1980s in presenting judges for promotion to supreme court and court of appeal even federal high court.

how many peaople know that the past 3, the current and the next 3 presidents of court of appeal are northerners. Even Ayo Salami is a northerner from kwara state.

komek:

@afam,na Federal Character, this is one thing that is killing the country. Competent hands will not be allowed 2 run the affairs of this country. They will go 2 chad or niger republic and bring one 'MALU' rearer and give him an appointment in the name of FEDERAL CHARACTER.

pokur:

Dahiru Musdapher.Was he not the one that received the gift of pilgrimage sponsorship to mecca from Yar'Adua and later cast his judgement for said sponsor in the 4-3 Buhari v Yar'Adua case?.
Is it not the same Dahiru Musdapher that presided over an 8-man NJC that breached the provisions of the constitution and brought further opprobium upon our judiciary?.
Same Musdapher is now being appointed acting CJN and in time substantive CJN.Nigerians,we now live in interesting times.

xterra2:

Wow so the north has a plan to make sure Judiciary remains in its grip 

But our judiciary is very corrupt 

Remii:

Southerners and whining.  Below is the list of past CJN, 1958 - 1987 has been Southerner, I did not think the North complained,
North,South kai
http://www.fjsc.gov.ng/list_of_chief.html

List of Chief Justices of Nigeria


The Supreme Court of Nigeria has had a proud history of honourable Chief Justices. Here is a list of the current and previous people who have held this respected position:
1. Hon. Justice Katsina-Alu (2010 - Present)
2. Hon. Justice I.L Kutugi CON (2007 - 2009)
3. Hon. Justice Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore, CON, GCON (2006 -2007)
4. Hon. Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, CON, GCON(1995 - 2006)
5. Hon. Justice Mohammed Bello, CON, GCON (1987 - 1995)
6. Hon. Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, OFR, CON, GCON(1985 - 1987)
7. Hon. Justice George Sodeinde Sowemimo, CON, GCON(1983 - 1985)
8. Hon. Justice Atanda Fatai Williams, CON, (1979 - 1983)
9. Hon. Sir Darnley Arthur Alexander, CBE, KCMG, CFR, (1975 - 1979)
10. Hon. Justice Taslim Olawale Elias, CFR, GCON (1972 - 1975)
11.Hon. Justice Sir Ademola Adetokunbo, KBE, CON(1958 - 1972)

luluosas:

As far as the process of becoming the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, is by seniority, why the shout over North - South palava?