Court Dismisses Suit Against Acting CJN Tanko Mohammed Over Alleged Age Falsification

The FCT High Court has dismissed a suit, accusing the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed, of age falsification for lack of ‘’Locus Standi’’.

KanyiDaily had reported that a 46-year-old man, Tochi Michael, filed a suit in April, alleging that Justice Mohammed falsified his date of birth, reducing it by three years.

According to him, the acting CJN was born on December 31, 1950, and has instead been using December 31, 1953, as his date of birth.

However, the judge, Danlami Senchi, held that the suit filed by Tochi Michael, ought to have been filed before the court by way of writ of summons and not originating summon.

The Judge also held that there was no evidence before the court to prove Michael’s case that Justice Mohammed reduced his age from Dec. 31, 1950, to Dec. 31, 1953, as claimed by the plaintiff.

Justice Senchi held that the claimant did not specify in the originating summons the special interest he has in the suit adding that the claimant has no ‘locus standi’ to institute such action.

The judge further stated that the attitude of the claimant counsel, Mr Melkizadeck Zaro is nothing but to scandalize, malign and destroy the person of the CJN and the entire judiciary.

He ordered that the registrar of the Supreme Court should commence disciplinary action against the claimant counsel for supplying false information to breach the law.

Justice Senchi then awarded a N10 million fine against the claimant to serve as a deterrent to others who are bent on carrying false information and must be paid within three weeks from the day of the judgment.