The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole of the Court of Appeal for appointment to the Supreme Court.

The council also approved the appointment of 27 judges to various state high courts, alongside new kadis for sharia courts of appeal and judges for customary courts of appeal.

The decisions were reached at the 110th meeting of the NJC held on January 13 under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, according to a statement released yesterday.

Justice Oyewole is currently the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division.

Spread Across States

The NJC approved candidates for high court appointments in seven states—Borno, Niger, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Delta, and Ekiti.

It also endorsed the appointment of six kadis to the sharia courts of appeal in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina states, as well as two judges to the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal.

The council said all nominees emerged after a rigorous screening process, which included the review of public petitions and interviews conducted by a seven-man panel in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines for Judicial Appointments.

List of Recommended Officers

Supreme Court

Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole — Justice, Court of Appeal

State High Courts

Borno State

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

Plateau State

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

Ekiti State

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

Niger State

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

Delta State

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

Taraba State

Mansura Mohammed Babagari.

Sharia Courts of Appeal

Niger State

Usman Abdulrahman Aboki; Ya’aba Mohammed; Nasir Ibrahim Muhammad.

Taraba State

Muhammad Yakubu; Yahaya Abubakar Aliyu.

Katsina State

Mustapha Salis Mutawakkil.

Customary Court of Appeal – Delta State

Bridget Onome Ojeikere; Stella Ovurororo Okah.

The NJC expressed confidence that the new judicial officers would strengthen justice delivery and uphold the integrity of the bench.