In response to the Supreme Court’s existing shortfall of justices, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has identified 11 candidates to occupy vacant positions, striving to meet the constitutional requirement of 21 Justices for the apex court.
The current deficiency, stemming from the retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo in October, prompted the NJC to meticulously screen 22 candidates proposed by the Federal Judicial Service Commission. This week, the NJC unveiled the successful candidates, featuring distinguished legal professionals from various states.
Notably, Justice Haruna Tsammani, renowned for chairing the Presidential Election Petition Court and upholding President Bola Tinubu’s election victory in February 25’s presidential poll, stands among the chosen candidates. The comprehensive list also includes Justice Moore Adumein (Bayelsa), Justice Jummai Sankey (Plateau), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (Abia), Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (Imo), Justice Obande Ogbuinya, Justice Stephen Adah (Kogi), Justice Habeeb Abiru (Lagos), Justice Jamilu Tukur, Justice Abubakar Umar (Kebbi), and Justice Mohammed Idris (Niger).
The NJC is expected to submit these nominations to the President for approval before the end of the week. Additionally, the NJC has recommended Justice Mohammed Ahmed Ramat for appointment to the Court of Appeal, and Justices Joel Agya and Umar Abubakar as Chief Judges for Taraba and Kebbi states, respectively.
FJSC Nominates 22 Justices for Supreme Court Vacancies
Further recommendations include Kadi Mukhtar for the position of Grand Kadi at the Sharia Court of Appeal in Kebbi State, and appointments of Justice A. O. Femi-Segun, Justice Alfred Yakubu, and Justice Tajudeen M. Abdulganiyu as Presidents of the Customary Courts of Appeal in Ogun, Taraba, and Oyo states, respectively. Amaebi Orukari and Akinyemi Ayodele are also proposed for appointment as High Court judges in Bayelsa and Ogun states, respectively.
A statement by the NJC spokesperson, Adesoji Oye, on Wednesday, said,
“All recommended candidates to the Supreme Court bench would be sworn in after the approval of their recommendation by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and the subsequent confirmation of their appointment by the Senate.
“The various Heads of Court recommended would also be sworn in upon the approval of their appointment by their various state governors and subsequent confirmation of same by their respective state Houses of Assembly.”