Justice Olukayode Ariwoola of the Supreme Court on Monday took the oath of office as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The brief ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Persecondnews reports that 62-year-old Ariwoola from Oyo State, takes over from immediate past CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, who resigned on Sunday on health grounds.
Ariwoola is expected to serve in an acting capacity until his confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
On taking the judicial oath, the new CJN swore to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Government of Nigeria, as well as defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The news of Muhammad’s resignation broke barely a week after 14 justices of the Supreme Court wrote to him to lament the deplorable state of affairs in the court.
The justices alleged that Justice Muhammad failed to address the issues raised despite drawing his attention to them.
They had complained of a lack of residential accommodation and vehicles at the court, alleging that the former CJN was gallivanting with his ‘spouse, children and personal staff’ while not allowing them to travel with an assistant on foreign trips.
The allegations were, however, denied by an aide to the former CJN.
