The Nigerian Judiciary operates strictly on seniority rule, and going by that rule, here’s the man that will Succeed Justice Tanko Muhammad.
His name is Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, of Yoruba ancestry from Oyo State, South Western State of Nigeria.
Born c. 22 August 1958.
He is currently an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He was formerly a Justice of the Nigerian courts of appeal and on November 22, 2011, he was appointed to the bench of the supreme court of Nigeria as an Associate Justice.
Justice Ariwoola was first appointed a Judge of Superior Court of record in Oyo State in 1992 from private legal practice. Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, he served as Justice of Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos Divisions.
He is expected to retire in 2028.
All things being equal and baring any last minute scheming, Justice Ariwoola could be the next Chief Justice of Nigeria if the news of the resignation of the current CJN is anything to go by, Justice Tanko Muhammad is expected to resign on health grounds, being next on the line in order of their Lordships standing at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.