National Judicial Council (NJC) on Wednesday recommended Mr Tanko Muhammad to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The Council took the decision to recommend Muhammad at an emergency meeting held Wednesday July 10 in Abuja.

According to a statement from NJC’s Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, the meeting, initially presided over by Mr  Umaru Abdullahi, apart from the appointment of the CJN reached other important issues relating to the judiciary in the country.

Oye said that the meeting, considered and approved the recommendation of its Interview Committee, which screened the two candidates presented by the Federal Judicial Service Commission for appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“Subsequently, the plenary of the Meeting presided over by Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammad, recommended to Governors of Sokoto, Lagos, Anambra, Ebonyi, Niger, Taraba, Kano, and Jigawa States, eight (8) successful candidates for appointment as Chief Judges and Grand Kadis for the States”, the statement read in part.

They are; Mr Muhammad S. Sifawa, Chief Judge, Sokoto State High Court of Justice; Mr Kazeem O. Alogba, Chief Judge, Lagos State High Court of Justice; Mr Ijem Onwuamaegbu, Chief Judge, Anambra State High Court of Justice and Mr Nwaigwe A. Anselm as Chief Judge, Ebonyi State High Court of Justice.

Others include, Mr Aliyu M. Mayaki, Chief Judge, Niger State High Court of Justice; Mr Filibus B. Andetur, Chief Judge, Taraba State High Court of Justice; Mr Tijjani Yakasai, Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Kano and Mr Isa Gantsa recommended for appointment as Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Jigawa State.

The newly appointed heads of courts are to be sworn in upon approval of Buhari and their respective state governors and confirmation by Senate and State Houses of Assembly, respectively.

“Council at the Meeting commended Buhari for his unequivocal position on the financial autonomy for the States Judiciary and called on the various State Executives to as a matter of urgency, commence its immediate implementation. It posited that this is not only in line with the Constitutional dictates, but presently the Judicial position”, the statement added.

Oye further disclosed that the Council equally considered notification of retirements of Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judges of Gombe, Edo, Niger and Ebonyi States, Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi State as well as those of nine other judicial officers from Federal High Court and High Courts of Gombe, Delta, Edo, Imo, Benue and Katsina States.

Thisday