By President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred on the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, the second highest national honour in the country, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
The 68-year-old Tanko, who was appointed in 2019, had resigned on Monday on grounds of ill health, though some reports said he was forced to step down due to corruption allegations.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting CJN, Buhari showered encomiums on Tanko for his contributions to the nation’s judicial sector.
“His era witnessed several landmark, jurisprudential and policy decisions by the Supreme Court, and by extension other Courts established by the Constitution,” he said.
“CJN Tanko dealt firmly with the issue of reckless and indiscriminate grant of ex-parte Orders that was assuming serious dimensions. History will be kind to Justice Tanko Muhammed for his modest contributions to Nigeria’s Judiciary, the strengthening of our democracy and national development.”
The ceremony was held at the Council Chambers, Aso Villa and attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Justices of the Supreme Court and other senior government officials.
