By: Joy Odor/Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate, seeking confirmation of the appointment of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Tanko as substantive CJN.
Similarly, the President in another letter to the upper legislative chamber also requested approval for appointment of 15 Special Advisers.
In the letters were read on the floor of the Senate Thursday, by the President of the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari explained that the requests were in line with constitutional provisions.
Specifically, the President stated that he relies on power conferred on him by Section 231 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to forward the nomination.
He also quoted Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, for approval of appointment of 15 Special Advisers.
The National Judicial Council, NJC had on Wednesday recommended Justice Tanko to President Buhari for appointment as substantive CJN.
Justice Muhammad was sworn in by President following the suspension of his predecessor, Justice Walter Onnoghen as CJN on January 25, 2019 by President Buhari on the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT over some constitutional breaches.
President Buhari had in the letter, signed by Charles Akpan, Deputy Director in the Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, cited Section 151 of the constitution which confers on him the power to appoint Special Advisers to assist him in the performance of his functions.
