Nigeria has a new Chief Justice. This followed the screening and confirmation of Supreme Court judge, Justice Walter Onnoghen by the Senate on Wednesday.
While appearing at plenary, Justice Onnoghen answered questions on issues such as creation of special courts, alleged disobedience to court orders by the executive, corruption by judges and many more.
Justice Onnoghen’s name was forwarded to the Senate on February the 8th for confirmation as a substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria by acting President Yemi Osinbajo after being in acting capacity for close to four months.
When he appeared for his confirmation hearing, the Senate dissolved into a committee of the whole where senators asked questions on critical national issues.
In his response, Onnoghen assured Senators that corruption is not pervasive in the judiciary as widely believed.
He also saID Nigerians don’t need to bribe a judge before they get justice.
He said the independence of the judiciary will be reinforced under him without compromise.
And after spending over an hour, the Senate later resolved back to plenary where Onnoghen was unanimously confirmed as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Justice Onnoghen had been leading the country’s Judicial Arm of Government, in acting capacity, since November 10th when he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, upon the retirement of ex-CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.
