NJC Recommends Omotosho, Nwite, 10 Others to Tinubu for Appointment as Appeal Court Justices
The National Judicial Council has recommended 12 High Court judges to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal, ahead of anticipated litigations arising from the 2027 general elections.
The recommendations were made during the NJC’s 111th meeting, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, the NJC said the appointments are intended to fill vacancies at the Court of Appeal created by the elevation of some justices to the Supreme Court and the retirement of others upon reaching retirement age.
Among the prominent judges nominated for elevation are Justices James Kolawole Omotosho and Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, both of whom recently presided over several high-profile political and criminal cases.
Other judges recommended for appointment are Yakubu Mohammed, Abodunde Oluwatoyin, Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Ojie, Ijohor Jennifer, Shuaib Bala, Buba Njana, Kado Sanusi, Adeola Enikuomehin, and Dandom Veronica.
According to the NJC, the nominees underwent rigorous screening and interviews and were found worthy based on their diligence, integrity, character, and judicial performance.
The Council also recommended Christine Clement Ende for appointment as a judge of the Benue State High Court, while Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura were nominated for appointment as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, two judges were sanctioned over judicial misconduct.
Justice Ibrahim Shekarau of the Benue State High Court and Justice Edward Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory were suspended for one year without pay after being found guilty of misconduct in the discharge of their judicial duties.
The NJC said the judges were sanctioned for issuing frivolous orders and denying fair hearing in matters brought before them.
In a related development, the Council rejected appeals by eight retired Imo State High Court judges seeking reinstatement to the bench.
The affected judges — B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Ngozi Okereke, Innocent Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe, and T.N. Nzeukwu — had earlier been compulsorily retired following allegations of age falsification aimed at extending their years in service.
The NJC maintained its decision, affirming that the judges had been properly sanctioned.
The Council further disclosed that 256 judicial officers were queried over various infractions, particularly poor performance in the discharge of their duties.
It also revealed that 73 petitions filed against judicial officers by lawyers and litigants were dismissed for lacking merit.