The National Judicial Council, NJC, has recommended Justice Tanko Muhammad to President Muhammadu Buhari for his confirmation as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
Mr Tank had been in an acting capacity since the suspension of the immediate past CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
His tenure was, however, extended by another three months, a development that raised a lot of dust on the face of many Nigerians especially members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
However, in a statement by the Director of Information of the NJC, Soji Oye on Wednesday, the decision was arrived at in an Emergency Meeting chaired by former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi.
He said the decision followed a recommendation of the Interview Committee set up by the Council which screened two “candidates presented by the Federal Judicial Service Commission to it for appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
The statement added that some new states Chief Judges were recommended to state governors for the appointment and Grand Khadis.
The states are Lagos, Anambra, Ebonyi, Niger and Taraba; and Grand Kadis for Sharia Courts of Appeal in Kano and Jigawa states.
Mr Muhammad was first appointed in January after the president controversially suspended Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was accused of false declaration of asset.
