The National Judicial Council, NJC, has recommended 12 High Court judges to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal ahead of expected litigations arising from the 2027 general elections.
The recommendation was made during the NJC’s 111th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Motonmori.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, the NJC explained that the appointments are intended to fill vacancies created at the Court of Appeal following the elevation of some justices to the Supreme Court and the retirement of others upon reaching retirement age.
Among the judges recommended for elevation are Federal High Court judges, Justices James Kolawole Omotosho and Emeka Nwite, both of whom recently handled several high profile political and criminal cases.
Other judges recommended for appointment include 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 judges successfully passed through rigorous screening and interview processes and were found worthy based on their integrity, diligence and judicial performance.
The Council also recommended Christine Clement Ende for appointment to the Benue State High Court bench, while Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura were nominated for appointment as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.
In a related development, the NJC sanctioned two judges 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.
The Council found them guilty of issuing frivolous orders and denying litigants fair hearing in favour of opposing parties.
The NJC also rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State High Court who were previously compulsorily retired over allegations of age falsification.
The affected judges are B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Ngozi, Innocent Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T. N. Nzeukwu.
According to the Council, the judges were earlier found guilty of falsifying their ages in order to remain longer in service.
The NJC further disclosed that 256 judicial officers were queried over various offences, particularly poor performance in the discharge of their duties.
It also stated that 73 petitions filed against other judicial officers by lawyers and litigants were dismissed after being found baseless and lacking merit.
