NJC recommends appointment of 12 new appeal court justices

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 12 new justices to the court of appeal as part of efforts to strengthen the judiciary and improve justice delivery across the country.

The decision was reached at the council’s 111th meeting held on May 13 and chaired by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NJC said the appointments are aimed at filling vacancies created by the elevation and retirement of judicial officers.

The judges recommended for appointment 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 a judge of the Benue State High Court, while Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura were recommended as kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.

According to the NJC, the consideration of Yakubu and Daura had initially been suspended following a petition questioning their eligibility on the grounds that they had previously retired from public service. However, the council clarified that the constitution does not prohibit retired public servants from being appointed into judicial positions.

The NJC further announced the adoption of a new policy for retired public servants seeking judicial appointments. Under the policy, such applicants must have at least 10 years remaining before reaching the mandatory retirement age.
The policy also mandates candidates to disclose any criminal convictions, employment history, financial standing, and existing employment obligations.

In addition, the council extended the tenure of Ijeoma Agugua as acting chief judge of Imo State by another three months.
On disciplinary matters, the NJC dismissed appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State judiciary who challenged their compulsory retirement over allegations of age falsification.

However, the council reinstated T.I. Nze of the Imo Customary Court of Appeal after reviewing fresh evidence presented before its investigative committee.

The affected judges had earlier been accused of altering their dates of birth in official records to unlawfully extend their years in service. Another judicial officer, Nzeukwu, was found to have allowed himself 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 NJC also suspended Ibrahim Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court and Edward Okpe of the FCT High Court for one year without pay over allegations of judicial misconduct.