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Senate confirmed TANKO after almost two hours of screening on Wednesday.
Addressing lawmakers, the CJN admitted that corruption abides in the Nigerian Judiciary saying he is not surprised that some judges are corrupt, arguing that the judiciary is a reflection of the larger Nigerian society.
The CJN stated that corruption is a two way strait involving a giver and a taker; recommending same punitive punishments to serve as deterrents to culprits.
TANKO however asked the legislature to sanitize the society with a wholistic review of Nigerian laws.
He said as much as the judiciary wants to clean up the society; it is greatly hampered by lack of financial autonomy.
TANKO promised to project the judiciary and draw attention to the many challenges confronting it without going cap in hand for it.
The CJN was shielded by the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan to respond to a question on where the power of appropriation lies between the executive and the legislature.
The most profound question perhaps, was from Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe who in a veiled reference to Supreme Court judgement on Osun Election wanted to know what will be the position of the Supreme Court under his watch as regards delivering verdicts based on merit and not technicalities.
Tanko’s response seems “fluid”, explaining that the Supreme Court often rely on expert testimonies and rules of interpretation to take decision.
Justice Tanko Muhammad served in capacity as acting CJN since January 25 this year when the then Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice Walter Onnoghen was suspended from office on alleged corrupt practices .
TANKO is the 17th Chief Justice of Nigeria.
