President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko as chief justice of Nigeria (CJN). The swearing in ceremony took place at the Aso Rock villa, Abuja on Wednesday morning, exactly a week after his appointment as the substantive CJN was confirmed by the senate.
Yemi Osinbajo, vice-president; Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives; and Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, were among those in attendance.
Muhammad has been occupying the office of CJN in acting capacity since January. He took over the office after Buhari suspended Walter Onnoghen over alleged misconduct.
Born December 31, 1953, Muhammad obtained his West Africa School Certificate in 1973. He was awarded a law degree by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1980. He later obtained master’s and doctorate degrees from the same university in 1984 and 1998 respectively.
In 1981, he was appointed as chief magistrate of the high court of the federal capital territory (FCT). He held that position till 1991.
Muhammad was appointed as a justice to the court of appeal bench in 1993. In 2006, he was appointed as a supreme court justice after spending 13 years at the appellate court.