Updated: Things to know about Justice Ariwoola, acting CJN

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is expected to be sworn in today as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) after the sudden resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Tanko’s resignation has been confirmed by the CJN’s spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah, on Monday morning.

Ariwoola is billed to leave the judicial service in 2028 should he eventually get the CJN substantive job.

Born on August 22, 1958, Justice Ariwoola was a Justice of the Court of Appeal before his appointment on November 11, 2011 as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Nigerian Body of Benchers.

Ariwoola was among the Supreme Court justices that heard the appeal of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the declaration of incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2019 election.

He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.

He was first appointed a Judge of Superior Court of record in Oyo State in 1992 from private legal practice.