The Senate on Wednesday began the screening and confirmation process for Justice Tanko Mohammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at a closed-door session.

Senate Leader, Sen. Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP Kebbi) who moved a motion for the screening, was seconded by Minority Leader Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia PDP).

Yahaya specifically urged the Senate to dissolve into committee of the whole to enable the acting CJN enter the plenary.

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan immediately put the motion into a voice vote and announced that the Senate should go to a closed-door session for the screening.

Mohammad arrived the premises of the National Assembly at exactly 10. 10 a.m. before the screening began at 11.13 a.m.

He arrived in the entourage of senior judicial officers in the country, including the President of the National Industrial Court Justice Babatunde Adejumo and others.

Mohammadu Buhari had sent a letter requesting the screening and confirmation of the acting CJN on July 11.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday, dismissed a suit challenging the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Justice Iyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court struck out the suit brought by a plaintiff, Omirhobo Foundation, for lack of locus standi to prosecute the case.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday forwarded the name of the name of Justice Muhammad, to the Senate for approval as the substantive CJN.

He also sought the approval of the upper legislative chamber to enable him to appoint 15 special advisers.

Buhari’s letters were read at a plenary session by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

Muhammad was sworn in as the Acting CJN on Jan. 25 immediately after the then CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, was suspended by Buhari.