Buhari requests Senate’s confirmation of acting CJN, 4 reappointed CBN directors

 

. There is urgent need to protect children’s  rights — Ariwoola

 

By Adekunle Adesuji, Chigozie Ikpo, Abuja and Victory Orimemi, Lagos

 

Senate has received request from President Muhammadu Buhari, to confirm the nomination of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the substancive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

 

 

The request was contained in a letter dated 25th July, 2022, and read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at the start of plenary on Tuesday.

 

 

The letter reads, “”Pursuant to Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

 

“While I hope that the submission will be considered in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

 

Justice Ariwoola’s appointment as CJN by President Buhari was sequel to the resignation of former Chief Justice Muhammad Tanko on 27th June, 2022.

 

Tanko’s resignation was against the backdrop of a protest by 14 aggrieved Justices over issues of welfare.

 

However, the former CJN, in his resignation letter, cited health grounds as reason for his decision.

 

In another letter to the Senate dated 21st July, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari requested the upper chamber to confirm the nomination of Dr. Suleiman Agha Afikpo as Commissioner representing the South-East zone, at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

 

He explained that the request was in accordance with the provision of Section 3(2) of the Hajj Commission Act. Cap. 321, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

 

The Senate is yet to fix a date for the screening and confirmation of the above two nominees .

 

Also, The Senate, on Tuesday, received a request from President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the re-appointment of four nominees as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

 

 

The request was sent through a letter and was read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan during a session.

 

 

In the letter, the President disclosed that the request to confirm the nominees was made in compliance with Section 10(3)(a) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007.

 

 

The nominees presented for confirmation include: Prof. Mike Idiahi Obadan (South South), Prof. Justitia Odinakachukwu Nnabuko (South East), Prof. Ummu Ahmed Jalingo (North East), and Mr. Adeola Adetunji (South West) – as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

 

 

The senate committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions is expected to screen the nominees on another legislative day.

 

In another development, The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has reiterated the need to protect the rights of Children while expressing worries over an increase in the number of cases involving children in Nigeria’s courts.

 

The CJN stated this while giving a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2022 National Workshop on Child Protection and Child Justice Administration for Family Court Judges and Magistrates, Social Welfare Officers, Assessor’s and Family Unit of the Police.

 

The ceremony which held at NJI in Abuja is with the theme: ‘Achieving Child Friendly Justice System’s.

 

The CJN who noted that children still face a number of disadvantages in their contact with the justice system however, pointed out that better understanding of children has led to the improvement in laws and courts system.

 

He said, “Child Friendly Justice is justice that is accessible, age appropriate, speedy diligent and focused on the needs of the child.

 

“The need to build a strong shield around children to protect their inherent rights through the application and interpretation of legislations cannot be overemphasized.

 

“You must recognize the fact that children more often than not are susceptible to abuse, gender based violence and emotional trauma by by reasons of their age, gender, disability and mental state, so they deserved more protection,”

 

Meanwhile, in a welcome address, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi said the workshop is in furtherance of the Institute’s mandate to provide continuing judicial Education for Judicial Officers as encapsulate in Section 3(1) of the NJI Act.

 

The workshop according to Abdullahi epitomizes the fact that protection of children is not solely the responsibility of their parents; rather, that of the society as a whole.

 

The administrator nevertheless condemned exposure of children to direct physical harm and psychological abuse.