NJC recommends 12 new appeal court justices

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 12 new justices for the court of appeal.

In a statement issued on Thursday after its 111th meeting held on May 13, the council said the recommendations were made under the chairmanship of Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The NJC said the appointments are intended to fill vacancies created by elevation and retirements of judicial officers and strengthen the judiciary for “effective justice delivery”.

The recommended justices are Yakubu Abdulhameed Mohammed, Abodunde Monisola Oluwatoyin, Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Elias Ojije, Ijohor Mbalamen Jennifer, Shuaibu Sabiu Bala, Omotosho James Kolawole, Nwite Emeka, Buba Dauda Njane, Kado Sanusi, Ademola Enikuomehin, and Dadom Julcit Veronica.

The council also recommended Christine Clement Ende for appointment as judge of the Benue state high court, alongside Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura as kadis of the sharia court of appeal in Katsina state.

The NJC said the consideration of Yakubu and Daura had earlier been stepped down following a petition challenging their eligibility due to prior retirement from public service.

According to the council, the constitution does not bar retired public servants from judicial appointments.

The council said it adopted a new policy requiring retired public servants seeking judicial appointments to have at least 10 years left before the mandatory retirement age.

The policy also requires candidates to disclose criminal convictions, employment history, financial status, and existing employment obligations.

The council also extended the appointment of Ijeoma Agugua as acting chief judge of Imo state for another three months.

The NJC rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo state judiciary challenging their compulsory retirement over age falsification.

the council however, reinstated T.I. Nze of the Imo customary court of appeal after reviewing fresh evidence submitted before its committee.

Previously, nine of them were found to have altered their dates of birth in official  records to unlawfully extend their years in service, while Nzeukwu was found to have made himself available to be sworn in as acting chief judge of the state despite being fourth in the hierarchy of judges, contrary to Section 271 (4) of the constitution.

The council  also suspended Ibrahim Shekarau of the Nasarawa state high court and Edward Okpe of the FCT high court for one year without pay over judicial misconduct.

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