Senate confirms Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria

The Senate has confirmed Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria. The Senate voted to confirm Mr. Onnoghen, after the Cross River-born judge fielded questions from the lawmakers during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

“We are enlightened by some of the views presented today,” said Senate President Bukola Saraki, commending Mr. Onnoghen and thanking his colleagues who asked wide range of questions.

Mr. Saraki said the screening and the eventual confirmation was a milestone.

Mr. Onnoghen fielded questions on various subjects, relating to the independence of the judiciary, corruption in the judiciary, establishment of special courts for corruption trial and respect for court rulings, among others.

Mr. Onnoghen, 67, was born in Kruiku Town, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

He bagged his Law degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1977 before his BL certificate at the Nigerian Law School in 1978.

He started his career as a Pupil State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in 1979, after which he ventured into private practice.

In 1989, he returned to public service as judge in the High Court of his native Cross River State.

He joined the federal judicial service in 1998 as Justice of the Court Appeal, a position he held until 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

He is the first CJN from Southern Nigeria in 30 years.