The National Judicial Council on Monday expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting the voluntary retirement of the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walther Onnoghen.

A statement by the NJC through its Director, Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said the council thanked the President at an emergency meeting held on Monday to formally take note of the President’s acceptance of Onnoghen’s voluntary retirement.

Oye said Buhari’s acceptance of Onnoghen’s voluntary retirement was in line with the council’s recommendation to the President on April 3, 2019.

The statement read,

“The National Judicial Council held an emergency meeting today to take formal note of the acceptance of the voluntary retirement of Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON, as Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

The President’s acceptance of the retirement is in line with the Council’s recommendation to the President on 3rd April 2019.

“Council at the end of its deliberations thanked the President for the acceptance which was in the best interest of Nigeria.”