By Emmanuel Adesuji, Abuja.
The Senate Tuesday unanimously confirmed Justice Mahmud Muhammed as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He was confirmed after scaling through the screening hurdles in the senate.
Fielding questions from lawmakers, Justice Muhammed called for separation of the offices of Attorney General and Minister of Justice to prevent politicians from manipulating the offices to the detriment of justice.
On the issue of conflicting judgement by judges which had threatened the image of the judiciary, Muhammed blamed judges for anomalies, noting that some of the conflicting judgement happen only in electoral matters where there are interests.
On the succession trend in the appointment of new CJN, Justice Muhammed said there is no provision in the constitution that prevent the President from appointing young legal practitioner for the post of CJN.
He however stressed that, it is a tradition in Nigeria that seniority must be taken into consideration.
In his remarks after the confirmation, the President of the senate, David Mark congratulated the new CJN saying that the judiciary remains the last hope of common man.
Mark urged the judiciary to continue to play its role for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.
