The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that the resignation of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) was not in isolation from the recent unprecedented developments where 14 Justices of the Supreme Court censured him over the ways he handled their welfare and other related issues.
Tanko had tendered his resignation on Monday, based on grounds of ill health.
While reacting to the sudden resignation of the CJN, a statement personally signed by the NBA President, Olumide Akpata, wished him quick recovery and a well-deserved retirement.
Akpata noted that “Beyond this, there is near-universal agreement that public confidence in the Judiciary and indeed, the legal profession is at an all-time low”.
He welcomed the appointment of Ariwoola as Acting CJN, pledging to work with him “in cleansing the Augean Stable and addressing the ills that have continued to plague not just the Judiciary but the entire legal profession”.
He called Justice Ariwoola to consider, as a matter of urgency, need for reforms in the Judiciary and to rebuild the almost dissipated confidence that Nigerians have in the Judiciary and the wider legal profession in Nigeria.
The statement partly reads: “I have received the news of the resignation, on grounds of ill health, of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Dr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR. We thank His Lordship for his lengthy service to the nation, and wish him quick recovery even as we pray for a well-deserved peaceful retirement.
”In the course of previous publications and communications, I have consistently appreciated the outgone Chief Justice of Nigeria for the cordial working relationship between the Bar and the Bench under our respective administrations.
”I must do so again today as he bows out. It is however impossible, to consider His Lordship’s retirement in isolation of the recent unprecedented developments at the Supreme Court where 14 Justices of the Court censured the outgone Chief Justice of Nigeria over His Lordship’s handling of their welfare and related issues.
”Beyond this, there is near-universal agreement that public confidence in the Judiciary and indeed the legal profession is at an all-time low.
”There is now more than ever the need for urgent reforms in the Judiciary and to rebuild the almost dissipated confidence that Nigerians have in the Judiciary and the wider legal profession in Nigeria.
”These should form the immediate first tasks for Honourable Mr. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is expected to now take over as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
”The NBA welcomes the appointment of Honourable Mr. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and pledges its readiness to work together with His Lordship and the Judiciary in cleansing the Augean Stable and addressing the ills that have continued to plague not just the Judiciary but the entire legal profession.”
About the Author
