Do you know who is the Chief Justice of Nigeria is? He is a member of the National Judicial Council and Supreme Court. Find out interesting information about his duties and biographical details.
Who is Chief Justice of Nigeria?
His name is Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen. He took this post after his predecessor Mahmud Mohammed retired after reaching the pensioner age.
All Supreme Court decisions are final and not subject to revision in the lower courts. Its head is appointed on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. The candidacy must be approved by the Senate.
The Constitution provides an office of Chief Justice. Resignation can be associated with death or reaching the age of 70 years. In addition, the Senate can organize impeachment with the aim of shifting the current Chief Justice of Nigeria. A two-third majority of Senate members must support this decision.
Interesting facts about the acting Chief Justice
The life of this person is directly connected with diligent education and hard work. He was born on December 22, 1950. Onnoghen's homeland is Okurike, Cross River State.
He studied in his hometown at Presbyterian Primary School during between 1959-1965. Then Walter moved to Accra, Ghana to study at the Odorgorno Secondary School where he spent 5 years (1967-1972) and then passed the WAEC Examination. He received a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Ghana from 1974 and 1977 with 2nd Class Upper Division.
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Between 1977 and 1978 he attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island.
Before becoming Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen had a long fruitful career in the judiciary. Checkout the list of his past positions.
- Pupil State Counsel at Ministry of Justice, Ikeja, Lagos State (1978-1979).
- Partner in the Law Firm of Effiom Ekong & Company at Calabar (1979 to 1988).
- Principal Partner/Head of Chambers of Walter Onnoghen & Associates, Calabar (1988 - 1989).
- High Court Judge at Cross River State Judiciary (1989 - 1998).
- Chairman of Cross River State Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal (1990 - 1993).
- Chairman of Judicial Enquiry into the Crisis between Students of the University of Calabar and Obufa Esuk Orok Community, Calabar (1996).
- Chairman of Failed Banks Tribunal, Ibadan Zone (1998).
- Justice of the Court of Appeal (1998 - 2005).
- A Fellow, Chattered Institute of Arbitrators. He is an extremely energetic and active person who attended seminars and conferences in various parts of the world.
- Onnoghen is a member of the Body of Benchers, a Life Bencher. He holds the position of Chairman of the Body of Benchers.
- On 8 June 2005, he was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
On November 10, 2016, Onnoghen received his current position - Chief Justice of Nigeria. He is the 16th person who took this post.
Also, his merit is the receipt of National Honors of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
As for his private life, Onnoghen is happily married with children..
Now you know a lot of interesting facts about the life and work of the current CJN. We hope that the information in this article was useful for you. Let us wish him to take many correct decisions in this important post.
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Source: Naija.ng