THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has extended the tenure of the acting president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, still in acting capacity, even as he denied asking President Goodluck Jonathan to reinstate the suspended president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami.

The second term of the three-month acting presidency of Justice Adamu ends today.

The media adviser to Justice Musdapher, Moha-mmed Adamu, confirmed the tenure extension.

Reacting to the Nigerian Tribune’s enquiry by phone, Adamu said, “I can confirm to you that his (Adamu) tenure had been extended in acting capacity.

He further explained that the 1999 Constitution (As amended) gives the CJN and the National Judicial Council (NJC) power to renew his tenure in acting capacity for as long as it was necessary, adding that the amended provision had taken away the two-term restriction.

Speaking on the alleged controversial request made to Jonathan by Musdapher on Salami’s reinstatement, the aide said it was absurd for anyone to think that the CJN, with his experience as an administrator and custodian of rule of law and due process, would take such a step.

The NJC had earlier scheduled its meeting of February 29 for voting on the recommendation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais panel that Salami should be considered for reinstatement as the president of the Court of Appeal.

The plan, however, ran into troubled waters with an order of Justice A. Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court to appear before him and show cause why he should not restraint it from discussing the said recommendation.

It was learnt that the court order would be served on the defendants today.

A source absolved Mus-dapher from any form of blame in Adamu not being confirmed as the substantive president of the court, adding that it was the duty of President Jonathan to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation, as required by the law.

Another source however countered, saying that it would be difficult for Jonathan to unilaterally forward Adamu’s name to the Senate without the recommendation of the NJC.

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