The National Judicial Council (NJC) has made significant strides, in fortifying the judiciary by recommending the appointment of 86 Justices and judges to various courts across Nigeria.
These appointments, spanning the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal, aim to bolster the judicial system and enhance access to justice nationwide.
Among the recommended appointments, 22 individuals have been nominated as Justices for the Court of Appeal, while the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is set to welcome 12 new Judges.
Additionally, 7 Judges have been earmarked for the High Court in Imo State, 6 in Bauchi State, 3 in Taraba State, and 13 in Lagos State.
Other appointments include 4 Judges in Kogi State, 2 in Jigawa State, and various Kadis for the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Bauchi, Kogi, and Jigawa States.
Moreover, 3 Judges have been recommended for the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, 2 in Taraba State, and 1 in Kogi State.
These recommendations underscore the commitment of the NJC to ensuring a robust and efficient judiciary capable of administering justice impartially and expeditiously.
By appointing qualified individuals to serve in various capacities within the judiciary, the council aims to address the prevailing challenges and strengthen the rule of law across the nation.
In response to the recommendations, Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s democracy.
He reiterated the need for a functional and independent judiciary, highlighting concerns about the integrity of the judicial system.
Below is the full list of the appointees:
JUSTICES, COURT OF APPEAL – 22
1. Hon. Justice Kwahar Polycarp Terna
2. Hon. Justice Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola
3. Hon. Justice Eleojo Eneche
4. Hon. Justice Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf
5. Hon. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman
6. Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo
7. Hon. Justice Fadawu Umaru
8. Hon. Justice Ishaq Mohammed Sani
9. Hon. Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar
10. Hon. Justice Abdulazeez M. Anka
11. Hon. Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba
12. Hon. Justice Nwoye Victoria Tochukwu
13. Hon. Justice Nwabunkeonye Onwosi
14. Hon. Justice Okorowo Donatus Uwaezuoke
15. Hon. Justice Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor
16. Hon. Justice Ntong Festus Ntong
17. Hon. Justice Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi
18. Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette
19. Hon. Justice Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo
20. Hon. Justice Akinyemi Abiodun Azeem
21. Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola
22. Hon. Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi
JUDGES, HIGH COURT, FCT ABUJA – 12
1. Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo
2. Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi
3. Anumaenwe Godwin Iheabunike
4. Odo Celestine Obinna 5. Hauwa Lawal Gummi
6. Abdurahman Usman 7. Buetnaan Mandy Bassi
8. Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh 9. Maryan Iye Yusuf
10. Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria
11. Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike
12. Munirat Ibrahim Tanko
JUDGES, IMO STATE HIGH COURT – 7
- Akowundu Cletus Ndubuisi
- Uchenna Mary Njoku
- Chibuogwu Ojiugo Chukwumaeze
- Ononogbo Chidi Linus
- Adaego Peace Nosiri
- Emeka Ozoma Orafu
- Mathew Chinedu Ijezie
JUDGES, BAUCH STATE HIGH COURT – 6
1. Amin Umar Ilelah
2. Aliyu Bin Idris
3. Ahmed Shuaibu Ningi
4. Shafa’u Ladan Yusuf
5. Abdussalam Idris Waziri
6. Kawu A. Yerima
JUDGES, TARABA STATE HIGH COURT – 3
1. Hamidu Audu
2. Bibonga Jeniffer Nauma
3. Joel Daniel Ubandoma
JUDGES, LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT – 13
1. Sunmonu Tunde Bashiru
2. Azeez Fimisola Augusta
3. Alebiosu Olawale Lawal
4. Adewale Russel Musiliu
5. Popoola Oluwatosin Ajose
6. Anjorin-Ajose Tanimola Abdulwaheed
7. Muyideen Abdul-Raheem Tejumade
8. George Alfred Akingbola
9. Balogun Adegboyega Ganiu
10. Shonubi Adenike Kudirat
11. Badejo-Okusanya Yewande Jokotola
12. Layinka Oyeladun Amope
13. Ojuromi Nalirat Olayinka Oluwatosin
JUDGES, KOGI STATE HIGH COURT – 4
1. Ajesola Joseph Sunday
2. Ojoma Rachael Haruna
3. Kadiri Badama
4. Ezema Beatrice Ada
JUDGES, JIGAWA STATE HIGH COURT – 2
1. Mohammad El-Usman
2. Nilfa Abdullahi Gambo
KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, BAUCHI STATE – 5
1. Ishaku Magaji
2. Abdurrahman Hassan Sabo
3. Bello Mohammed Sambowal
4. Muhyiddeen Mohammed
5. Mahmoud Idris Shehu Tiyin
KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KOGI STATE – 5
1. Muhammad Muhammad Bello
2. Okino Isah Saidu
3. Yakubu Adavenge Abbas
4. Shaibu Ridwan Aliyu
5. Idris Alhaji Abdullahi
KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, JIGAWA STATE – 1
1. Mukhtar Shuaibu Adam
JUDGES, IMO STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL – 3
1. Everyman Ezenna Eleanya
2. Ofoha Sylvesta Uchenna
3. Ibeh Rosemond Oluchi
JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, TARABA STATE – 2
1. Esther Tata
2. Benjamin Samuila Bawage
JUDGE, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, KOGI STATE – 1
1. Maryann Oziohu Otaru.b
