Barely less than 24 hours for his tenure to expire as the acting Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has sent the name Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen’s to the Senate for confirmation as the next Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN). This was disclosed by the Presidency on Wednesday.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) after getting clearance from Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) late last year forwarded Onnoghen’s name to President Muhammadu Buhari but the President did not transmit his name to the Senate for confirmation.
Justice Onnoghen was born on the 22nd December, 1950 at Okurike Town, Biase LGA of Cross Rivers State. He attended the Presbyterian Primary School, Okurike Town between 1959 and 1965. He later proceeded to Accra, Ghana to attend Odorgorno Secondary School, Adabraka, Accra, Ghana between 1967 and 1972 for his West African Examination Council (WAEC) Exams.
Justice Onnoghen was at Accra Academy, Accra Ghana between 1972 and 1974 for his WAEC (A-Levels) before proceeding to the University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana between 1974 and 1977 to obtain his Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B (Hons)) and graduated with 2nd Class Upper Division.
He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1977 and 1978 for his B.L certificate. Onnoghen was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) since 2005. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1977 and 1978 for his B.L certificate.
His previous professional appointments and positions held include, Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Ikeja, Lagos, Ogun State (1978 – 1979), Partner in the Law Firm of Effiom Ekong and Company, Calabar (1979 – 1988), Principal Partner andHead of Chamber of Walter Onneghen and Associates, Calabar (1988 -1989), High Court Judge, Cross Rivers State Judiciary (1989 – 1998).
Others are Chairman, Cross Rivers State Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal (1990 – 1993), Chairman, Judicial Enquiry into the Crisis between Student of the University of Calabar and Obufa Esuk Orok Community, Calabar (1996), Chairman, Failed Bank Tribunal, Ibadan Zone (1998), Judge, High Court of Rivers State (1992 – 2004) and Justice of the Court of Appeal (1998 – 2005)
He is also a Fellow, Chaterred Institute of Arbitrators. Justice Onnoghen was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) since 2005.
