Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the Nigerian Chief Justice, plans to step down from office.
It was recalled that a letter recently leaked where Supreme Court justices expressed their concerns over their budgetary allocations that have not been increased in the last four years. The reasons for his resignation, according to Arise News, are still hazy.
In the letter, the justices bring up a number of concerns, such as the failure to replace deteriorated vehicles, lodging issues, subpar medical care provided at the Supreme Court clinic, and inadequate electricity supply.
The justices bemoaned the rise in electricity rates, the absence of adjusted allowances to account for the rise in diesel prices, and the absence of internet access in their chambers.
The justices brought Mr. Tanko’s attention to a Chief Registrar internal memo informing judges that due to a diesel shortage, electricity would be provided to the court from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
Other issues included the failure to sign amended Court Rules, the abrupt suspension of annual justice training and workshops in foreign countries, and the absence of qualified legal assistants.
As a result, the judges questioned Mr. Tanko’s sense of accountability out of concern that the judiciary might be shut down as a result of the issues brought up.
Muhammad has been a Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court since 2005, and in 2019 he was made Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He had previously served as a judge on the Nigerian Court of Appeal.
