President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate seeking the confirmation of the nomination of Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

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

“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,” the letter read.

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

Mr 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 the reason for his decision.

Before his elevation to the Court of Appeal bench in 2011, Mr Ariwoola served as a judge of the High Court of Oyo State, and as justice of the Appeal Court between 2005 and 2011.

Meanwhile, in another letter to the Senate dated July 22, Mr Buhari requested the upper chamber to confirm the nomination of Suleiman Afikpo as commissioner representing the South-East zone at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

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

(NAN)