Admin I November 11, 2016
Abuja, Nigeria – President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN. He succeeds Justice Mahmud Mohammed who has just retired as CJN.
Onnoghen who hails from Cross River State will remain in acting capacity until his confirmation by the Senate.
While swearing him in on Thursday, November 10, Buhari said the cooperation of the judiciary is imperative in the fight against corruption and insecurity to boost economic development.
“I congratulate the new acting CJN to have come in this trying time in the life of our nation. Trying time in the sense of the three identifiable problems this country is facing – physical security, the problem of economy and corruption.
“In this room contains the constitutional bodies that are responsible for bringing Nigeria back into line in terms of security and managing it efficiently, while making sure that the economy is resuscitated and that security of doing business at all stages in the country is free and fair.”
Speaking after taking oath of office, Justice Walter Onnoghen promised to assist in the fight against corruption.
“In this state of our development and with your programme in tow, I assure you of the full cooperation of the third arm of government in the continuation of the war against corruption and misconduct in the judiciary.
“I intend to carry on where my predecessors stopped, modify certain areas but with the general ultimate goal of having a better judiciary befitting the nation, Nigeria. Thank you for the confidence reposed in me and by the grace of God, we shall succeed”.
In his remarks, the outgoing CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed said there is corruption is everywhere.
“But you see, we are all Nigerians but in the judiciary, it is there we need the assistance of all Nigerians to help fish out those corrupt elements within us so that we could fight with vigour to deliver a clean judiciary for the nation to fight against corruption and to assist in revamping the economy in the interest of this nation.
“It is in order to secure the economy all over because the judiciary has a big role to play in every aspect of our lives,” he said.
Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, CFR, was born December 22, 1950, at Okurike Town, Biase L.G.A. of Cross River State.
He attended the Presbyterian Primary School, Okurike Town between 1959 and 1966 and later proceeded to Accra, Ghana, to attend Odorgorno Secondary School, Adabraka, between 1967 and 1972 for his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Exams.
He was at Accra Academy, Ghana, between 1972 and 1974 for his WAEC (A-Levels) before proceeding to the University of Ghana, Legon, between 1974 and 1977 to obtain his Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B (Hons)) and graduated with 2nd Class Upper Division and was among the best graduating students.
He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1977 and 1978 for his B.L certificate. He participated in the NYSC programme in July 1979.
He was Pupil State Counsel, Lagos State, (1978 -1979); Partner in the Law Firm of Effiom Ekong & Company, Calabar (1979 – 1988); Principal Partner/Head of Chambers of Walter Onnoghen & Associates, Calabar (1988 -1989); Chairman, Cross River State Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal (1990 – 1993); Chairman, Judicial Enquiry into the Crisis between Students of the University of Calabar and Obufa Esuk Orok Community, Calabar (1996); Chairman, Failed Banks Tribunal, Ibadan Zone (1998); High Court Judge, Cross River State Judiciary (1989 – 1998); Justice of the Court of Appeal (Nov 1998-June 2005).
Hon. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) in 2005. He is also a Justice of the Supreme Court of The Gambia.
