By Joke Kujenya
THE NATIONAL Judicial Council (NJC) has nominated Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Her nomination follows a crucial meeting held in Abuja on August 14 and 15, chaired by the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is set to replace Ariwoola, billed to retire on August 22, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Moreover, the NJC’s recommendation highlights the council’s commitment to maintaining the tradition of seniority within the Supreme Court.
This decision is now awaiting approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Should the President endorse the nomination, Kekere-Ekun will step into a role critical to the nation’s judicial system at a time when the judiciary faces numerous challenges, including the need for judicial independence and prompt legal reforms.
Also, Justice Kekere-Ekun, who currently serves as the most senior Justice on the Supreme Court bench, is recognized for her extensive legal experience and a strong reputation for fairness.
She is expected to bring stability to the Nigerian judiciary, ensuring that the courts continue to function effectively amid a complex socio-political environment.
In addition to nominating Kekere-Ekun, the NJC also recommended 28 other candidates for judicial appointments across various state courts.
They include six judges for the High Court of Kwara State, four for the High Court of Benue State, and eight for the High Court of Rivers State.
The council also recommended one kadi for the Sharia Court of Appeal in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
These appointments reflect the NJC’s broader strategy to strengthen the judiciary across Nigeria.
By injecting fresh talent into the judicial system, the NJC aims to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the courts, ensuring that justice is administered swiftly and fairly.
The formal swearing-in of Justice Kekere-Ekun and the other recommended judges will follow once their appointments receive the necessary approvals from President Tinubu and the respective state governors.
These developments underscore the NJC’s vital role in upholding the independence of the judiciary and its ongoing efforts to implement legal reforms that will benefit the entire nation.
NJC Recommends 86 Judicial Officers for Federal and State Court Appointments Across Nigeria
FURTHERMORE, the NJC has put forward 86 judicial officers for appointments across various federal and state courts in Nigeria.
This recommendation followed the council’s 105th plenary meeting, held from May 15 to 16, 2024, during which the NJC’s Interview Committee on the Appointment of Judicial Officers made their selections.
The recommendations span several levels of the judiciary, including the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal in various states.
This extensive list includes 22 justices for the Court of Appeal, 12 judges for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, and multiple judicial officers for state high courts and customary courts.
Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, who currently serves on the Supreme Court, is the most notable appointment.
This comprehensive recommendation also sees the inclusion of respected judges such as Hon. Justice Kwahar Polycarp Terna, Hon. Justice Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola, and Hon. Justice Eleojo Eneche, among others, for the Court of Appeal.
In addition to federal appointments, the NJC recommended candidates for high courts across multiple states.
For example, seven judges have been recommended for the Imo State High Court, six for the Bauchi State High Court, and 13 for the Lagos State High Court.
The NJC also made appointments for the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Bauchi, Kogi, and Jigawa states, among others.
These recommendations are pending approval from the President of Nigeria and the governors of the respective states.
Following their approval, the recommended candidates will be sworn in and will begin their duties, bolstering the judiciary’s capacity to deliver justice efficiently across the country.
The 86 nominees recommended by the NJC:
Court of Appeal (22 Justices)
Hon. Justice Kwahar Polycarp Terna
Hon. Justice Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola
Hon. Justice Eleojo Eneche
Hon. Justice Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf
Hon. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman
Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo
Hon. Justice Fadawu Umaru
Hon. Justice Ishaq Mohammed Sani
Hon. Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar
Hon. Justice Abdulazeez M. Anka
Hon. Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba
Hon. Justice Nwoye Victoria Tochukwu
Hon. Justice Nwabunkeonye Onwosi
Hon. Justice Okorowo Donatus Uwaezuoke
Hon. Justice Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor
Hon. Justice Ntong Festus Ntong
Hon. Justice Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi
Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette
Hon. Justice Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo
Hon. Justice Akinyemi Abiodun Azeem
Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola
Hon. Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi
High Court, FCT Abuja (12 Judges)
Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo
Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi
Anumaenwe Godwin Iheabunike
Odo Celestine Obinna
Hauwa Lawal Gummi
Abdurahman Usman
Buetnaan Mandy Bassi
Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh
Maryan Iye Yusuf
Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria
Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike
Munirat Ibrahim Tanko
Imo State High Court (7 Judges)
Akowundu Cletus Ndubuisi
Uchenna Mary Njoku
Chibuogwu Ojiugo Chukwumaeze
Ononogbo Chidi Linus
Adaego Peace Nosiri
Emeka Ozoma Orafu
Mathew Chinedu Ijezie
Bauchi State High Court (6 Judges)
Amin Umar Ilelah
Aliyu Bin Idris
Ahmed Shuaibu Ningi
Shafa’u Ladan Yusuf
Abdussalam Idris Waziri
Kawu A. Yerima
Taraba State High Court (3 Judges)
Hamidu Audu
Bibonga Jeniffer Nauma
Joel Daniel Ubandoma
Lagos State High Court (13 Judges)
Sunmonu Tunde Bashiru
Azeez Fimisola Augusta
Alebiosu Olawale Lawal
Adewale Russel Musiliu
Popoola Oluwatosin Ajose
Anjorin-Ajose Tanimola Abdulwaheed
Muyideen Abdul-Raheem Tejumade
George Alfred Akingbola
Balogun Adegboyega Ganiu
Shonubi Adenike Kudirat
Badejo-Okusanya Yewande Jokotola
Layinka Oyeladun Amope
Ojuromi Nalirat Olayinka Oluwatosin
Kogi State High Court (4 Judges)
Ajesola Joseph Sunday
Ojoma Rachael Haruna
Kadiri Badama
Ezema Beatrice Ada
Jigawa State High Court (2 Judges)
Mohammad El-Usman
Nilfa Abdullahi Gambo
Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State (5 Kadis)
Ishaku Magaji
Abdurahman Hassan Sabo
Bello Mohammed Sambowal
Muhyiddeen Mohammed
Mahmoud Idris Shehu Tiyin
Sharia Court of Appeal, Kogi State (5 Kadis)
Muhammad Muhammad Bello
Okino Isah Saidu
Yakubu Adavenge Abbas
Shaibu Ridwan Aliyu
Idris Alhaji Abdullahi
Sharia Court of Appeal, Jigawa State (1 Kadi)
Mukhtar Shuaibu Adam
Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State (3 Judges)
Everyman Ezenna Eleanya
Ofoha Sylvesta Uchenna
Ibeh Rosemond Oluchi
Customary Court of Appeal, Taraba State (2 Judges)
Esther Tata
Benjamin Samuila Bawage
Customary Court of Appeal, Kogi State (1 Judge)
Maryann Oziohu Otaru
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