June 27,2022

Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has reportedly opted to resign his position.

A Supreme Court spokesperson has confirmed the development, reports say

It is understood that plans are underway to appoint Olukayode Ariwoola, the next-highest ranking justice of the supreme court, as interim chief justice of Nigeria

Reasons for his resignation are still sketchy, but justices of the Supreme Court in a letter leaked last week, expressed their concerns over their budgetary allocations that have not been increased in the last four years.

Some of the issues raised by the justices in the letter include the failure to replace dilapidated vehicles, accommodation problems, poor healthcare services at the Supreme Court clinic, and poor electricity supply.

The justices also lamented the increase in electricity tariffs, no modified allowances to reflect the increase in diesel prices, and lack of internet services in their chambers.

The justices called Mr Tanko’s attention to an internal memo served by the Chief Registrar, which notified judges that electricity would be supplied to the court between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily, due to the lack of diesel

Other issues covered the non-signing of amended Court Rules, an abrupt stoppage of foreign workshops and training per annum for justices and no provision of qualified legal assistants.

As such, the judges called Mr Tanko’s sense of responsibility into question, fearing a potential shutdown of the judiciary due to the raised concerns.

Muhammad, however, also responded to the allegations, noting that he could not meet the demands of the judges

Muhammad has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2005 and was appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2019

He was formerly a Justice of the Nigerian Court of Appeal