Biography
Profile: What You Need To Know About Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad is said to have resigned on health grounds.
According to a report monitored on Arise News Channel, two impeccable sources at the Supreme Court have anonymously confirmed that the CJN has resigned.
Last year, Justice Muhammad was reported to have travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to treat an undisclosed ailment.
His resignation comes on the heels of a protest letter by his brother justices of the Supreme Court over poor welfare service.
President Muhammadu Buhari had controversially suspended Justice Walter Onnoghen as chief justice of Nigeria. He appointed the next in line, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as acting CJN.
Going by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, President Buhari lacked the power to do what he has done.
The constitution says a sitting CJN can only be removed from office by the president after at least two-thirds majority members of the Senate support such a move.
No such matter has been debated at the Nigerian senate. But Mr Buhari claimed he acted based on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Below is the profile of Justice Muhammad as published on the website of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR, JSC was born on the 31st of December 1953. He hails from Doguwa, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State. He attended primary school at Giade Primary School from 1961 to 1968. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Azare from 1969 to 1973. His Lordship then proceeded to Abdullahi Bayero University College, Kano for his IJMB from 1975 to 1976. After a successful completion of his course, His Lordship got admission to read Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1976 to 1980. He attended Nigerian Law School from 1980 to 1981. In furtherance of his educational career, His Lordship went back to the prestigious ABU, Zaria for his Masters Degree in Law (LLM) on Part Time basis, from 1982 to 1984. In order to update himself in the field of Law, His Lordship went back to ABU, Zaria in 1987 to 1998 and obtained his Doctorate Degree (PHD) in Law, also on Part Time basis.
Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR,JSC was appointed as Magistrate Grade II in 1982 to 1984 with Bauchi State Judiciary. He rose to Senior Magistrate Grade II from 1984 to 1986. His Lordship was appointed as the Provost, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Bauchi from 1986 to 1989. He was appointed Chief Magistrate/Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from 1990 to 1991. From 1991 to 1993, he served as a Kadi (Judge) of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State. His Lordship was elevated to the position of Justice of the Court of Appeal from 1993 to 2006. His Lordship was appointed as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the year 2006 and was sworn-in on the 8th of January 2007. He became the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council on Wednesday, 24th July, 2019.
