Justice-Onnoghen
Justice Walter Onnoghen

The Senate today confirmed Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria. The confirmation puts to rest the anxieties generated in many quarters by the long period it took the President Muhammadu Buhari government to send his name to the Senate for this confirmation.

Onnoghen was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria by Buhari on November 10 last year following the retirement of the Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed who was the Chief Justice of the Federation. Justice Walter
Onnoghen by this confirmation, becomes the first person from the Southern part of Nigeria to occupy this position in 30 years.

The name of the new CJN was sent to the Senate for confirmation by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on February 8. The confirmation hearing of today saw Onnoghen fielding serious questions about the Nigerian
judiciary from senators. There were questions about corruption in the judiciary and other issues relating to that arm of government. However, he pleaded with the Senate to excuse him from answering questions having to do with the ongoing trial of some judges on various allegations of corruption as well as delay on the part of the Buhari administration in sending his name to the Senate for confirmation.

The satisfaction of the Senate at Onnoghen’s performance at the hearing which was conducted by the Committee of the Whole was expressed by Senate President, Bukola Saraki who commended him. Saraki said the Senate was “enlightened” by the position taken by Justice Onnoghen on various subjects.