Olukayode Ariwoola, sworn in as the acting chief justice.

The President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, swore in Judge Olukayode Ariwoola as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria in the Council chambers of the State House, Abuja.

Ariwoola, the longest-serving Supreme Court Justice, was sworn in around 3 pm, hours after former CJN Tanko Muhammad resigned.

Born on August 22, 1958, Judge Ariwoola, a native of Iseyin, Oyo State, was a former Court of Appeals judge before being appointed to the Supreme Court bench in 2011.

Since the Buhari-led regime emerged in 2015, it has appointed three chief justices in both acting and substantive terms.

In March 2017, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo appointed Judge Walter Onnoghen as CJN to replace Judge Mahmud Mohammed.

In January 2019, however, Onnoghen was suspended over alleged false financial statements, paving the way for Bauchi-born judge Tanko Muhammad, who suddenly resigned Monday morning over an undisclosed health issue.

Judge Ariwoola will serve in an acting capacity at the request of President Buhari pending confirmation by the Senate.

The President also bestowed the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger on the outgoing CJN.

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