Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Monday took the oath of office as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad.
President Muhammadu Buhari administered the oath of office to Ariwoola at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Ariwoola will serve in acting capacity until confirmed by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The jurist 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.
Muhammad’s resignation on health grounds comes in the wake of calls by 14 Supreme Court justices for investigation into allegations of mismanagement of funds against him.
The justices in a recent letter, which was leaked to the public, protested the alleged non-payment of their legitimate entitlements for a prolonged period of time.
They accused the CJN, who doubles as the chairman of the National Judicial Council, of ignoring their repeated demand for improved welfare, despite the upward review of the budgetary allocation of the judiciary.
The aggrieved justices alleged that accommodation was not provided for new justices that were sworn in since 2020. They also accused Muhammad of not allowing them to attend foreign training, adding that vehicles that were supplied to them were either refurbished or substandard.
According to them, though they were blocked from attending foreign training, the CJN, at their own expense, severally travelled out of the country with his spouse and children.
Muhammad has since denied the allegations.
