The National Judicial Council (NJC) has taken a major step in shaping Nigeria's judiciary, recommending a senior appellate judge for the nation's highest court and approving dozens of new judicial officers across the country.
Elevation to the Apex Court
At its 110th meeting, the Council put forward Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Justice Oyewole, who is currently the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal's Enugu Division, was the sole nominee for elevation to the apex court. A native of Osun State, his judicial career began on the bench of the Lagos State High Court.
Nationwide Judicial Appointments Approved
Alongside the Supreme Court recommendation, the NJC gave its approval for 35 candidates to fill various judicial offices in multiple states. The breakdown of these appointments is as follows:
State High Court Judges (27):
- Borno State: Six judges, including Mustapha Babagana, Hadiza Grema Mustapha, and Peter Bwala James.
- Plateau State: Six judges, including Andrawus Maikai and Tongret Nanman Kparbong.
- Ekiti State: Five judges, including Olanike Caroline Adegoke and Julius Sunday Bamidele Bamise.
- Niger State: Four judges, including Adamu Abubakar and Bala Ndajiwo Ahmed.
- Delta State: Four judges, including Jonah Akporuaro Otite and Jereoma Sam-Oligida.
- Taraba State: One judge, Mansura Mohammed Babagari.
- Benue State: One judge.
Sharia Courts of Appeal Kadis (6):
- Niger State: Three Kadis, including Usman Abdulrahman Aboki.
- Taraba State: Two Kadis, including Muhammad Yakubu.
- Katsina State: One Kadi, Mustapha Salis Mutawakkil.
Customary Courts of Appeal Judges (2):
- Delta State: Two judges, Bridget Onome Ojeikere and Stella Ovuorieroro Okah.
Rigorous, Merit-Based Process Reaffirmed
The NJC, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, strongly emphasized that all recommendations followed its established, stringent procedures. The process included public complaints, thorough background checks, and interviews conducted by a seven-member committee, adhering to the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules.
The Council used the occasion to address and clarify recent media controversy. It denied reports that dozens of nominees for the Federal High Court had failed a new "integrity test." The NJC clarified that the preliminary screening in question was conducted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), not the NJC itself. It stated that some candidates were discontinued at the FJSC stage due to adverse findings from petitions or for not meeting qualifying scores, stressing that no new standalone integrity test was introduced.
Other Council Decisions
In other decisions from the meeting, which was presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Council approved a three-month extension for the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, I. O. Agugua. It urgently called on the Imo State governor to immediately begin the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission to facilitate the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge, citing the need for judicial stability and independence.
This wave of appointments comes shortly after the NJC's earlier decision to compulsorily retire ten judges from the Imo State judiciary, nine over age falsification allegations and one for allowing himself to be sworn in as chief judge without proper authorisation.
