The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has nominated 22 Court of Appeal justices to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for elevation to the Supreme Court bench.
According to an FJSC, the nominees represent each geopolitical zone. The North-Central and South-East regions have the largest share with six candidates each, while the South-West and South-South each have two nominees. The North-East has the least representation with two nominees.
The nominations aim to fill vacant positions at the apex court, as part of efforts to reinforce the judiciary.
Recently, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola recently advertised vacancies in the court, which currently has 10 justices. The apex court is 11 short of its full complement of 21 justices.
The NJC will now undertake further vetting of the 22 candidates before sending approval recommendations.
Here is the list of nominated justices:
SOUTH EAST:
- Hon Justice Nwaoma Uwa (Abia State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Onyekachi Otisi (Abia State) – Reserve
- Hon Justice Obande Ogbuinya (Ebonyi State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua (Imo State) – Reserve
- Hon Justice Anthony Ogakwu (Enugu State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (Imo State) – Reserve
SOUTH SOUTH:
- Hon Justice Moore Adumein (Bayelsa State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Biobele Georgewill (Rivers State) – Reserve
SOUTH WEST:
- Hon Justice Adewale Abiru (Lagos State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Olubunmi Oyewole (Osun State) – Reserve
NORTH CENTRAL:
- Hon Jummai Sankey (Plateau State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo (Plateau) – Reserve
- Hon Justice Stephen Adah (Kogi State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Ridman Maiwada Abdullahi (Nassarawa State) – Reserve
- Hon Justice Baba Idris (Niger State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Joseph Ikyegh (Benue State) – Reserve
NORTH EAST:
- Hon Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani (Bauchi State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Abubakar Talba (Adamawa State)
NORTH WEST:
- Hon Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu (Jigawa State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Bello Aliyu (Zamfara State) – Reserve
- Hon Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar (Kebbi State) – Priority
- Hon Justice Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero (Kano State) – Reserve
Legal experts described the nominations as a positive step in ensuring a robust and representative apex court. The development is seen as crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary.
