By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has broken its silence on the controversies generated by the real age of the newly appointed acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola.
The Director of Information of the Court, Dr. Festus Aweneri, on Wednesday said Justice Ariwoola, was born in 1954 and not 1958.
Aweneri also noted that the new CJN started his primary school education in 1959.
The acting CJN’s real age has remained a subject of controversy, as his Wikipedia biography indicates that his year of birth is 1958, contradicting his official record which states he was born in 1954.
Justice Ariwoola took his oath of office on Monday after the abrupt resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad who was due to retire December 2023.
He cited health concerns as reason for resignation.
The new acting CJN who has little above two years to his mandatory retirement age of 70 is expected to be nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari for possible screening and confirmation by the Senate.
