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President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the appointment of Tanko Muhammad as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria by another three months.
Spokesperson for the National Judicial Council (NJC), Soji Oye, confirned the development in a statement on Saturday. He said Buhari sent the recommendation to the NJC which approved the appointment on Thursday.
Muhammad was first appointed in January after the president controversially suspended then Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen who was accused of non-declaration of assets.
Mr Onnoghen who denied all the allegations was convicted on Thursday by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). He was also barred from holding public office for 10 years. He has however appealed the ruling.
The president’s suspension of Mr Onnoghen had sparked uproar as many described the move as unconstitutional and an attempt to annex the judiciary.
Two weeks ago, Onnoghen announced that he was stepping down, but the Presidency is yet to accept or reject the resignation.