CJN: Senate may call for emergency session, as Osinbajo sends in Onnoghen’s name

There are strong indications that the Senate may cut short its budget defense to act on the issue of naming a substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Already, there are feelers that the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, may have forwarded the name of the current Acting CJN, Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen, to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki for confirmation.

The tenure of the Acting CJN will expire on the 10th of February, 2017. By law, his name or the name of another senior Justice from the Supreme Court, is expected to be sent in order not to create a vacuum.

Multiple sources familiar with the development, told Ripples Nigeria that the Senate leadership is ready to recall Senators who are either out of Abuja or currently busy with the ongoing budget defence exercise.

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A lawmaker who does not want to be named, said they have already been put on notice by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. He added that lawmakers who are currently out of town, have been told to return ahead of the expected exercise.

“We are aware that the Presidency will likely send the name of the Acting CJN to us before end of this week. That means we have to do something and ensure that the name sent to us is confirmed. We have been put on notice and we will reconvene anytime next week to treat the letter.

“This is a serious national exercise and we will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that no arm of the government is allowed to suffer. That is all I can tell you for now,” the Senator stated.

By Ehisuan Odia….

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