The National Judicial Council has recommended 12 High Court judges for elevation to the Court of Appeal in its push to fill vacancies and boost capacity across the judiciary.
The decision was taken at the NJC’s 111th meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The names have been forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
Among those recommended are Justices Emeka Nwite, James Kolawole Omotosho, Yakubu Mohammed, Abodunde Oluwatoyin, and Ajuwa Raphael. Others include Abua Ojie, Jennifer Ijohor, Shuaibu Bala, Buba Njane, Sanusi Kado, Ademola Enikuomehin, and Veronica Dadom.
The NJC also recommended Christine Ende as a judge of the Benue State High Court, and two others as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Katsina State.
The appointments are meant to fill gaps left by elevations and retirements, the Council said.
In a related move, the NJC extended the appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another three months, from March 26 to June 26, 2026, to allow time to appoint a substantive Chief Judge. It praised Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in outside constitutional procedure, calling it a show of institutional integrity.
-Discipline and dismissals-
The Council rejected appeals from eight Imo State judges seeking to overturn their compulsory retirement over age falsification. Nine judges were found to have altered their birth dates to extend their time in service.
Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was also retired for making himself available to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in the hierarchy, in violation of Section 271(4) of the Constitution.
However, Justice T.I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal was reinstated after presenting new, authentic evidence.
Two judges were suspended for one year without pay for misconduct: Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of Nasarawa State High Court for granting an ex parte order without a pending suit, and Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the FCT High Court for breaching fair hearing in a matrimonial case.
The NJC dismissed eight other petitions for lack of merit, and referred one petitioner, Mbadiwe Ossai, to the police for alleged perjury. Four lawyers were referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for filing frivolous petitions aimed at harassing judges.
The Council also barred serial petitioner Yusuf Isa from submitting further petitions and reaffirmed that the Constitution does not bar retired public servants from judicial appointment.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
