NJC Recommends Joseph Oyewole for Supreme Court, Approves 27 High Court Judges

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Joseph Oyewole, a justice of the court of appeal, for appointment to the supreme court.

The council also approved judicial appointments across federal and state courts, including high courts, sharia courts of appeal, and customary courts of appeal.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the decisions were taken at the 110th meeting of the NJC held on January 13 and presided over by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Oyewole is currently a presiding justice of the court of appeal, Enugu division.

The NJC also approved 27 candidates for appointment as judges of state high courts across seven states — Borno, Niger, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Delta, and Ekiti.

The council also okayed the appointment of six kadis to the sharia courts of appeal in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina states, as well as two judges to the customary court of appeal in Delta state.

The council said the recommendations followed a rigorous screening process that included consideration of public complaints and interviews conducted by a seven-member interview committee, in line with the 2023 revised NJC guidelines for judicial appointments.

FULL LIST OF RECOMMENDED JUDICIAL OFFICERS

Supreme court

• Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole — justice, court of appeal (recommended for appointment to the supreme court)

State high courts

Borno state (six)

• Babagana Mustapha
• Hadiza Grema Mustapha
• Peter Bwala James
• Tijjani Babakura Zannah
• Umar Alkali
• Yahaya Alhaji Dunoma

Plateau state (six)

• Andrawus Maikai
• Tongret Nanman Kparbong
• Diane Ngummai Nkwap
• John Ishaku Mantu
• Gavou Musa Bature
• Kingsley Mangai Mallam

Ekiti state (five)

• Olanike Caroline Adegoke
• Julius Sunday Bamidele Bamise
• Julius Ajibare
• Stephen Rotimi Akinyede
• Adefunke Helen Anoma

Niger state (four)

• Adamu Abubakar
• Bala Ndajiwo Ahmed
• Sa’adatu Abubakar Gambo
• Sulaiman Buhari Wushishi

Delta state (four)

• Jonah Akporuaro Otite
• Jerooma Sam-Oligida
• Boeye Irene Ukuli
• Otome Benjamin Adamidenyo

Taraba state (one)

• Mansura Mohammed Babagari

Sharia courts of appeal

Niger state (three)

• Usman Abdulrahman Aboki
• Ya’aba Mohammed
• Nasir Ibrahim Muhammad

Taraba state (two)

• Muhammad Yakubu
• Yahaya Abubakar Aliyu

Katsina state (one)

• Mustapha Salis Mutawakkil

Customary court of appeal

Delta state (two)

• Bridget Onome Ojeikere
• Stella Ovurororo Okah