*No man is infallible; ill-health has cut short Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad’s leadership of the Nigerian Judiciary at this time, says President Muhammadu Buhari

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed the rationale behind Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Chief Justice of Nigeria’s (CJN), sudden resignation.

Buhari, at the swearing in of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as Acting CJN, attributed Justice Muhammad鈥檚 resignation to ill-health.

The President said: 鈥淥rdinarily, he was scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on the last day of 2023.

鈥淯nfortunately, as no man is infallible, ill-health has cut short Chief Justice Tanko鈥檚 leadership of the Nigerian Judiciary at this time.”

It was, however, clarified that Buhari’s disclosure contradicted earlier reports making the rounds that the retired Justice was forced out because of “corruption” allegations.

The Nigerian President further said: “I received a letter from the Honourable Justice Dr. I. Tanko Muhammad, CFR, resigning his position as Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, on health grounds.”

The resignation took immediate effect, according to report.

Recall former CJN Muhammad was appointed to the Supreme Court, in 2006, sworn in January 8, 2007, and became the Chief Justice of Nigeria in acting capacity January 25, 2019.

He later became the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council Wednesday, July 24,聽 2019.

It was learnt, ordinarily, he was scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on the last day of 2023.

Buhari added: “Unfortunately, as no man is infallible; ill-health has cut short Chief Justice Tanko鈥檚 leadership of the Nigerian Judiciary at this time.

“I am, therefore, constrained to accept his retirement, albeit with mixed-feelings.

“Much as one may wish that the Chief Justice of Nigeria Muhammed Tanko is able to fully serve his term in office, it presupposes that he is able to perform the functions of the Office without let, hindrance or any form of disability.

COnaumerConnect reports Muhammad, GCON, is a Nigerian jurist, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2005 and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from 2019 to 2022, when he resigned as a result of an undisclosed illness. He was formerly a Justice of the Nigerian Courts of Appeal.

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