The presidency has nominated the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen for confirmation as the Chief Justice of the Federation by the Senate.
The nomination is contained in the presidency’s twitter handle saying, “Hon. Justice W.S. Onnoghen’s name has been sent to the Senate for confirmation as the next CJN.”
If confirmed by the Upper Legislative Chamber, Justice Onnoghen would be the first CJN from the southern part of the country in about 30 years.
His nomination is coming three months after he was first appointed to the position in acting capacity by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The delay by President Buhari to send his name to the Senate has been trailed by criticism and condemnation, with some alleging ethnic bias as the reason for the president’s seeming reluctance.
Justice Onnoghen has been a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2005.
He graduated from the University of Ghana, Legon in 1977 and from the Nigerian Law School in 1978.
Before joining the Supreme Court, he was a judge in Cross River State and a justice of the Court of Appeal.
