Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has called for the appointment of five new Justices of the Supreme Court to fulfill the requirement of the Constitution which provides for the appointment of 23 judges into the country’s apex court.

A statement issued on Sunday night by  presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu said Buhari had  sent a letter to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad to this effect.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 230(2) A&B of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to request that you initiate in earnest the process of appointing additional five Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to make the full complement of 21 Justices as provided by the aforementioned provisions of the Constitution.

“This is in line with the Government’s Agenda of repositioning the Judiciary in general and Supreme Court in particular for greater efficiency, with a view to reducing the backlogs of appeals pending at the Supreme Court.

“Please accept, your Lordship, the assurances of my highest regards,” President Buhari was quoted as saying in the letter to Justice Mohammad.

Muhammad succeeded Walter Onnoghen when he was suspended over alleged false declaration of assets. Onnoghen later resigned in April when the National Judiciary Council (NJC) recommended his compulsory retirement.

Also on Sunday, Garba  announced that President Buhari has accepted Onnoghen’s resignation.