Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, has refused to vacate the Supreme Court quarters nine months after his resignation.
His successor, Olukayode Ariwoola has hence been denied access to the apartment.
Findings revealed that the law required Tanko to vacate the quarters within six months after his resignation but he refused.
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According to sources in the judiciary, the judge rather relocated to his private apartment in Kaduna, leaving his children in the official residence of the chief justice in Abuja.
A source said:
“The CJN, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is still living in his residence, which has become untidy and congested, but he couldn’t evict Tanko’s children.”
Tanko, who was the 16th chief justice of the apex court, had resigned on June 22, 2022, due to health challenges.
Thereafter, Ariwoola, a Supreme Court justice since November 22, 2011, was appointed as acting CJN on June 27 and sworn in on October 12 at the council chamber of the State House, Abuja, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, since his swearing-in, Ariwoola has yet to move into the CJN quarters, as Tanko failed to formally vacate the premises for unclear reasons.
Within six months after his resignation, Tanko, who was due for retirement according to the mandatory age of 70 years on December 31, 2023, was entitled to a rented apartment and a financial package before getting a retirement home.
Sources added Tanko asked his children to communicate with the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) about getting him the apartment.
The source said:
“They took the children to more than five houses in Abuja for them to select or choose for their father, but they all declined, preferring to remain in the official residence of the CJN.
“Since Tanko has not left the official residence officially, the Supreme Court continue to pay all the utility bills, including daily fueling of diesel generators with taxpayer’s money.”
