CJN Postpones Inauguration Of 18 Appeal Court Judges, As Courts Remain Closed

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, has announced the indefinite postponement of the scheduled inauguration of the 18 newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal earlier scheduled to hold today (Thursday).

Ripples Nigeria on Wednesday night learnt that the postponement of the event was mainly because of the ongoing strike by judiciary workers, which has kept all Nigerian courts shut since April 6.

The striking judiciary workers, under the auspices of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), commenced the industrial action on Tuesday, April 6, demanding the implementation of constitutional provisions and court judgments granting financial autonomy to the judiciary.

The authorities had fixed Thursday for the swearing-in of the new Court of Appeal judges without taking into account the impact the strike would have on the scheduled event.

On Thursday, CJN’s media aide, Ahuraka Isah, told newsmen, “I am aware that the swearing-in has been postponed and no new date has been fixed for it, but I don’t know the reason for the postponement.”

Ripples Nigeria reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of the judges following their recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).