22 Justices Nominated For Supreme Court Promotion (Full List)

The Federal Judicial Service Commission has forwarded a list of 22 justices from the Court of Appeal to the National Judicial Council, marking them as potential candidates for elevation to Nigeria’s prestigious Supreme Court. In a move highlighting geographical diversity, the nominations represent various regions across Nigeria, showcasing a comprehensive array of candidates.  Among the nominees, six justices originate from the north-central region, while the southeast and south-south regions boast six and two nominees, respectively.  Additionally, the southwest region has two nominations, and both the northeast and northwest regions contribute two candidates each. Here’s a breakdown of the nominated justices from the different regions: 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-lheme (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) – Reserve 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

Appoint Only Qualified Judges To Supreme, Appeal Court Benches, Tinubu Charges NJC

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to rely on qualified, experienced and diligent private legal practitioners in both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court appointments. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the All-Nigerian Judges Conference of the Superior Courts, held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in Abuja, the president held that the move will strengthen the nation’s judiciary. Tinubu expressed that the judiciary had over the years, performed excellently to creditably retain the status of the last hope of the common man, adding that his administration was determined to improve the welfare of judicial officers in the country. Tinubu was represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. He said: “While the Nigerian judiciary is not immune from certain challenges, it has, however, surmounted these limitations to creditably retain the status of both the last hope of the common man and the bastion of rule of law and democracy. “The Nigerian judiciary has indeed evolved from the colonial days, through the rich history of contemporary worthy status today. While there may be misgivings here and there, we cannot begin to imagine what our country would have been subjected to if there was no judiciary. “Through a gamut of landmark judgments, the judiciary has continued to maintain the cause of the rule of law in Nigeria and strengthens our democratic processes and institutions. “I wish to observe that in the cause of demonstrating this commitment to the advancement of the rule of law and democracy, especially in political and electoral cases, the judiciary has come under myopic criticism and attacks. Concluding, he reiterated his confidence in the accomplishment of the judiciary in the cause of nation-building, both locally and on the global scene.

Strive To Maintain Public Trust, CJN Tasks Judges 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has tasked judicial officers in Nigeria to work assiduously towards sustaining public confidence and trust reposed on the judiciary. Ariwoola posited that as indispensable pillars of democracy, judicial officers must distance themselves from all forms of indiscretions and ventures capable of bringing the judiciary to disrepute.  The CJN gave the charge at the opening ceremony of the 2023, All Nigerian Judges’ Conference in Abuja.  “My Lords, the importance of the foregoing cannot be overemphasized since what we do now will invariably determine the legacy we leave behind.  Justice Ariwoola described the conference as a “convergence of the most brilliant minds and mainstays of hope and order in the society” adding that the conference primarily serves the dual purpose of stocktaking and visioneering.  The CJN expressed dismay over the way decisions of the Court are treated with orders of the Court being flagrantly disobeyed.  “While there is no justification for this, it is impossible to divorce this unsettling development from the perceived image of the Judiciary as a mere appendage of the other arms of government, expected to do their bidding at all times and incapable of making decisions devoid of predilection.  He exuded confidence that the Conference, which is the first since the commencement of the new administration, will come with an improved disposition towards the welfare of the Judiciary especially as it pertains to the protracted issue of its independence as well as a strong desire to foster healthy and productive relationships among all three arms.  “It is my hope that the Conference will help drive robust discussions between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary on fostering mutual respect for one another and also on strengthening synergies devoid of any subterfuge.  “It will equally afford us the opportunity to unravel the issues already identified, the bulk of which holds grave repercussions for Nigeria’s polity.  “It is also my firm belief that this interface will reaffirm across the board, our commitment to upholding the tenets of Democracy and the Rule of Law therefore bolstering the trust and confidence of the citizenry in the operationality of the government” Justice Ariwoola stated.  In his welcome address, the Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi, said the Conference provides a platform to give judges the  acclaim for their unrelenting devotion to prospering the ends of justice, and for their conspicuous role in nation building.  Secondly, he said the Conference affords Judges the opportunity to critically appraise happenings and developments in the course of the year, especially those that greatly impacted the performance of their functions and which holds great implications for the Judiciary by extension.  “In the same vein, while it is a cardinal rule of natural justice that no one should be a judge in his own cause, this Conference offers an apposite exception to this since it allows judicial officers to evaluate and critique themselves, Abdullahi said.  The goal of such evaluation, he said, is to enable advancement and growth within the Judiciary through the conclusions that will be reached and strategies that will be devised from robust discussions led at the Conference.  He stated that the theme of the Conference; “STRENGTHENING JUDICIAL COMMITMENTS TO THE RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY”, will afford Judges the opportunity to recharge, recalibrate and re-strategize. 

Dattijo Bemoans Absence Of South-East, North-Central On Supreme Court Bench

A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Muhammad Dattijo has said that the non-representation of the South-East and North-Central on the Supreme Court Bench poses great danger for the country’s democracy. The retirement of Justice Datti on Friday, after spending 43 years in the judiciary, brings the number of Justices to 10, with two regions of the country not represented. The South-South and North-East have two serving Justices, while the North-West and South-West are fully represented with three Jurists each. “To ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geo-political zones are required to participate in the hearing.  “It is therefore dangerous for democracy and equity for two entire regions to be left out in the decisions that will affect the generality of Nigerians” Justice Datijo warned. The retired jurist noted that since November 6, 2020, when the Supreme Court, in its history, got a full complement of 21, following the swearing in of 8 Justices.  “This is not what our laws envisage. Although it can be posited that no one expected the sudden passing of Justice Centus Nweze, on July 29, 2023, yet, it has been two years and seven months since Sylvanus Ngwuta, another Justice from the South East died and no appointment was made,” Justice Datijo revealed.  Datijo stated that the retirement of Justice Ejembi Eko, who also represented the North Central zone on May 23, 2022 has also caused a great lacuna in the system. “Ditto for the replacement of Justice Eko JSC of North central who exited nearly two years ago.  “Hon. Justice Sidi Bage JSC, now his Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia, from the North Central, had earlier voluntarily retired. He equally is yet to be replaced” Datijo stated. Meanwhile, Justice Datijo has stated that the depleted number of Supreme Court Justices has remained so due to deliberate action. “It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancies in the court is deliberate. It is all about the absolute powers vested in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the responsible exercise of same” Justice Datijo said.  “That this avoidable depletion has affected and will further affect the court and litigants is stating the obvious,” he added. According to the Justice, “appropriate steps could have been taken since to fill outstanding vacancies in the apex court”.  “Why have these steps not been timeously taken?, he asked.   “We are in an election season where the Election Tribunals and appellate courts are inundated with all manner of petitions and appeals.  “The Supreme Court is the final court in the Presidential, Governorship and National Assembly election appeals. “Yet, there are only 10 justices left to determine these matters.

Again, Emefiele’s arraignment stalled; ex-CBN gov settles for plea bargain

Suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele’s arraignment on alleged breach of procurement laws and contract inflation, was again stalled on Wednesday. Strong indications have also emerged that the detained former CBN Boss, has opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government, hence, the indefinite hold on the arraignment. NIGERIAN ANCHOR gathered that the arraignment on a 20-count charges slated for Wednesday August 23, was not listed in the cause list before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja It was also gathered at the courtroom that the arraignment was shifted at the instance of the detained CBN Chief. Authoritative sources confided in our correspondent that Emefiele and his-co accused, Saadat Yaro have opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government. Speaking on the development and the defendant’s absence in court, counsel to the defendant, Kehinde Akinlolu, confirmed the shift in the arraignment.  Emefiele’s lawyer, Kehinde Akinlolu SAN confirmed the shift in the arraignment when contacted on phone, adding that a new date may likely be issued by the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf. At the time of filing this report, operatives of the Department of State Service DSS who used to escort him to court were not seen, as well as his legal team. Meanwhile, the court has commenced proceedings on matters on the cause list. More details later…

Justice Aboki confirmed Kano State’s first female Judge

History was made on Thursday when the Kano State House of Assembly, confirmed Justice Dije Aboki as the state’s substantive Chief Judge (CJ) of the State. This followed the consideration of a letter forwarded to the assembly by Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf and read by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, during Thursday’s plenary. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had, in March, sworn in Justice Aboki as the acting Chief Judge of the State. In another development, the Kano State House of Assembly also confirmed three more commissioner-nominees sent to the Assembly by Governor Kabir-Yusuf. The nominees screened are Ibrahim Fagge, Ibrahim Namadi, and Amina Abdullahi -Sani. In his remark after the confirmation, Falgore asked the cleared nominees to justify their appointments by being dedicated to their duties when assigned portfolios. He urged them to complement the efforts of the governor in the development of the State. After the confirmation, the nominees described the opportunity as a call to serve the people of Kano.