The National Judicial Council has recommended 12 High Court judges to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal ahead of litigations expected to arise from the 2027 general elections.
The recommendations were made during the NJC’s 111th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Olatokunbo Motomori.
In a statement issued on Friday by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, the council said the appointments were intended to fill vacancies created by the elevation of some appellate justices to the Supreme Court and the retirement of others who had reached statutory retirement age.
Among the judges recommended for elevation are Federal High Court judges James Kolawole Omotosho and Emeka Nwite, both of whom recently presided over several high-profile political and criminal cases.
Other judges recommended for appointment to the appellate court are Yakubu Mohammed, Abodunde Oluwatoyin, Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Ojie, Ijohor Jennifer, Shuaib Bala, Buba Njana, Kado Sanusi, Adeola Enikuomehin and Dandom Veronica.
According to the NJC, the judges emerged successful after rigorous screening and interview processes which established their competence, diligence and integrity.
The council also recommended Christine Clement Ende for appointment to the Benue State High Court bench, while Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura were nominated as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, the NJC sanctioned two judges over acts of judicial misconduct.
The affected judges are Ibrahim Shekarau of the Benue State High Court and Edward Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, who were both suspended for one year without pay.
The council found them guilty of issuing frivolous court orders and denying litigants fair hearing in favour of opposing parties.
In the same vein, the NJC rejected appeals by eight judges of the Imo State High Court who sought to reverse their compulsory retirement and return to service.
The affected judges are B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Ngozi, Innocent Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T.N. Nzeukwu.
They had earlier been indicted for falsifying their ages to remain longer in judicial service and were subsequently retired compulsorily.
The NJC also disclosed that 256 judicial officers were queried over various infractions, particularly poor performance in the discharge of their duties.
Additionally, the council dismissed 73 petitions filed by lawyers and litigants against judicial officers, describing the complaints as baseless and lacking merit.
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