President Goodluck Jonathan on W
ednesday sought the approval of the Senate to confirm the appointment of Justice Mahmud Mohammed as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Jonathan stated this in a letter sent to President of the Senate, Senator David said Mohammed’s appointment was in compliance with Section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which he said gave him the powers to appoint CJN acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC). He urged the Senate to treat the appointment with urgency.
The letters reads: “In conformity with Section 231 sub-section (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which gives the president powers to appoint a Chief Justice of Nigeria acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation of the appointment of the Senate, l have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Mahmud Mohammed, CFR for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria. It is my hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious attention of the Distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Mohammed will replace Justice Aloma Mukhtar whose tenure expires on November 20 following the attainment of mandatory retirement age of 70.
