The National Judicial Council, NJC, has forwarded the names of 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 recommendation was made at the NJC’s 111th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Motonmori.

In a statement issued on Friday by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, the council said the appointments would fill vacancies created by the elevation of some justices to the Supreme Court and the retirement of others.

Among the judges recommended for elevation are Federal High Court judges, Justices James Kolawole Omotosho and Emeka Nwite, both of whom have recently handled several high-profile political and criminal cases.

Others recommended are Justices 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 were recommended after undergoing rigorous screening and interviews.

The council also recommended Christine Clement Ende for appointment to the Benue State High Court bench, while Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura were recommended as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, the NJC suspended two judges over judicial misconduct.

The affected judges are Justice Ibrahim Shekarau of the Benue State High Court and Justice Edward Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, both of whom were suspended for one year without pay.

The council said they were found guilty of granting frivolous orders and denying fair hearing in cases before them.

Similarly, eight Imo State High Court judges compulsorily retired over age falsification lost their bid for reinstatement.

The judges are B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Ngozi, Innocent Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T.N. Nzeukwu.

The NJC said the judges were earlier indicted for falsifying their ages to remain in service beyond the statutory retirement period.

The council also disclosed that 256 judicial officers were queried over various offences, particularly poor performance in the discharge of their duties.

It added that 73 petitions filed against judicial officers by lawyers and litigants were dismissed for lacking merit.