Nigeria On The Brink of Getting Its First Female CJN.

  It is conventional in the Bench to have the next following in rank to occupy the most coveted seat of Chief Judge, be it of State, or of Federation. But this can only be effected upon the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the subsequent approval by the President.
   In the nation's history, no female has ever attained the height of Chief Justice of the Federation. The much they could attain being Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. But apparently, the reverse may soon be the cse as Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar has ben nominated to become the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to replace Justice Dahiru Musdapher, the current CJN. Her succession may occur by July 14th, 2012 wen Justice Dahiru is due for retirement.
   It is however speculated that the current CJN, Dahiru, is primarily instrumental in the recommendation as statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Mohammed Adamu debunked so. The statement reads:
"The Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Dahiru Musdapher, contrary to speculations, has not resigned his appointment.

The CJN had, on April 11, 2012, written to the National Judicial Council, NJC, to give three months notice of his retirement from service as a judicial officer.

This, as the CJN indicated, is so “that the necessary processes will be commenced early enough to enable the swearing (sic) of a new Chief Justice” by July 16, 2012.

It is public knowledge that by the provisions of Section 291(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the CJN shall cease to be a judicial officer come July 14, 2012 when he would be 70 years."
   Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar who was born on 20th November, 1944, hails from Kano. She was called to Bar on June 26th, 1967 and rose to Justice of the Supreme Court on June, 2005.
   However, it should be noted that her yet-to-be attained feat has been attained at State level by Justice Rosaline Omotosho, who on 12th day of April, 1995, became the first female Chief Judge of Lagos State and West Africa. She was followed by Justice Rosaline Patricia Irorefe Bozimo who became the Chief Judge of Delta Sate on 3rd April, 2003.
   It would have been an uncommon coincidence if Justice Mukhtar had Rosaline in her name. We pray that between the hand and the mouth, nothing happens.