Nigeria’s senate approves new chief justice

By Abu ‘Adnan

LAGOS Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday approved Ibrahim Tanko Mohamed as the country's new chief justice, seven months after he was first nominated to act in the position following the suspension of his predecessor Walter Onnoghen.

The Senate confirmed Mohamed in an unanimous vote after he replied questions of lawmakers at an official screening in the capital city Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week forwarded his name to the Senate as the country’s chief justice on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, the body responsible for appointment and discipline of judges.

Born in 1953, Mohamed became an appeal court judge in 1993 and served there until 2006 when he moved to supreme court.

He told senators on Wednesday that the country's judiciary needs “autonomy” to function properly, calling on the legislature to secure more funding for the courts and improve remuneration for lawyers and judges.