ARIWOOLA EMERGES ACTING CJN AFTER MUHAMMAD IS FORCED OUT

that could make Nigerians lose confidence in the judiciary as the country prepared for national elections next year.

But the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said despite the cordial working relationship between the Bar and the Bench under Muhammad, it was impossible to consider his resignation in isolation from the recent developments at the Supreme Court, where 14 justices censured him over his handling of their welfare and related issues.

Nonetheless, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, commended the former CJN for seizing the initiative to resign, just as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde congratulated the new CJN for reaching the peak of his career.

Muhammad’s sudden resignation on health grounds had raised suspicion among critical stakeholders, a majority of whom held the view that there was more to it.

However, new facts emerged that he did not resign out of his own freewill, but was actually forced out over multiple allegations of corruption. Some of the allegations were said to have involved his children, two of who emerged candidates of the two leading political parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP – at their recent primaries.

Although details of the corruption allegations were not out yet at the time of filing this report, THISDAY gathered Muhammad was actually forced to resign immediately after interrogation by security agencies, which denied him the privilege of mulling his options because of the facts before them.

It was further gathered that since the emergence of his children as candidates of the two main political parties, the administration in which he served had become uncomfortable over the possibility of compromise at critical times.

Curiously, the timing of Muhammad’s resignation and the recent petition by 14 justices of the Supreme Court, who more or less questioned his capacity and handling of the affairs of the apex court, further corroborated insinuations that his resignation was not on health grounds.

Muhammad would be the second CJN to be forced out of office under the Buhari administration, in similar circumstances, the late Justice Walter Onoghen being the first.

Fourteen justices of the apex court had specifically protested, among others, the non-availability of basic amenities both in their chambers and homes, which, according to them, was capable of shutting down activities at the final court. In a protest letter to the CJN, dated March 23, 2022, they complained that poor welfare had hindered their job.

The grievances of the justices included the non-replacement of vehicles, accommodation problems, lack of drugs at the Supreme Court clinic, epileptic electricity supply to the Supreme Court, increase in electricity tariff, failure to increase diesel allowances, and lack of Internet services to their residences and chambers.

Others were internal problems, which included non-signing of amended Rules of Court for almost three years, sudden stoppage of two to three foreign workshops and trainings per annum for Justices, and no provision of qualified legal assistants.

Buhari to Justices: Don’t let Nigerians Lose Confidence in Judiciary

Buhari cautioned justices of the Supreme Court to guard against acts that could cause lose of confidence in the judiciary. He gave the warning yesterday at the State House, Abuja, while swearing in Ariwoola as acting CJN.

The president reiterated his administration's commitment to independence of the judiciary, separation of powers, and the rule of law.

He said, "I want to admonish the justices of the Supreme Court to always remain faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to remain steadfastly committed to the Oath of Allegiance, which they all subscribed to, as contained in the 7th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

"Our nation is approaching a critical general election in 2023, the judiciary must not do anything to fail the ordinary people of Nigeria, which may make them lose confidence in the Judiciary."

The president lauded the former CJN for strengthening democracy during his period in office.

He stated, "Nigeria’s judiciary under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, judiciously exercised the judicial powers of the federation. His