Photo: Osinbajo swears-in Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria, lists of former CJNs since 1914

Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 swore in Justice Walter Onnoghen as the 20th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) since 1914.

The swearing-in ritual took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the presence of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ministers, government officials and some members of the new CJN’s family.

Onnoghen 66, was at the brief swearing-in ceremony, decorated with the country’s second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON).

Onnoghen was born on the December 22, 1950 at Okurike Town, Biase local government area, Cross Rivers State.

The new CJN, Walter Samuel Onnoghen has been a Supreme Court Justice since 2005, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed Justice Mahmood Muhammed in November, 2016, in acting ability.

He is a graduate of University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, graduated in 1977 and also graduated from the Nigerian Law School in Lagos in 1978.

Onneghen was a judge in Cross River State and a justice of the Court of Appeal before moving to the Supreme Court.

List of Nigerian Chief Justices since 1914:

1. Sir Edwin Speed, 1914-1918

2. Sir Ralph Combe, 1918-1929

3. Donald kingdon, 1929-1946

4. Sir John Verity, 1946-1954

5. Sir Stafford Sutton, 1955-1958

6. Adetokunbo Ademola, 1958-1972

7. Taslim Olawale Elias, 1972-1975

8. Darnley Arthur Alexander, 1975-1979

9. Atanda Fatai Williams, 1979-1983

10. George Shodeinde Sowewimo, 1983-1985

11. Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, 1985-1987

12. Mohammed Bello, 1987-1995

13. Muhammad Lawal Uwais, 1995-2006

14. Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore, 2006-2007

15. Idris Legbo Kutigi, 2007-2009

16. Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu, 2009-2011

17. Dahiru Musdapher, 2011-2012

18. Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, 2012-2014

19. Mahmoud Mohammed, 2014-2016

20. Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, November 2016 till date.