Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has nominated 22 Court of Appeal justices to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for elevation to the Supreme Court bench.

According to an FJSC document sighted on Thursday, the nominees represent each geopolitical zone. The North-Central and South-East regions have the largest share with 6 candidates each, while the South-West and South-South each have 2 nominees. The North-East has the least representation with 2 nominees.

The nominations aim to fill vacant positions at the apex court, including Justice Augie’s spot, as part of efforts to reinforce the judiciary. The NJC will now undertake further vetting of the 22 candidates before sending approval recommendations.

The comprehensive list of nominated justices is as follows:

SOUTH EAST:

Hon Justice Nwaoma Uwa (Abia State) – Priority Hon Justice Onyekachi Otisi (Abia State) – Reserve Hon Justice Obande Ogbuinya (Ebonyi State) – Priority Hon Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua (Imo State) – Reserve Hon Justice Anthony Ogakwu (Enugu State) – Priority Hon Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (Imo State) – Reserve SOUTH SOUTH:

Hon Justice Moore Adumein (Bayelsa State) – Priority Hon Justice Biobele Georgewill (Rivers State) – Reserve SOUTH WEST:

Hon Justice Adewale Abiru (Lagos State) – Priority Hon Justice Olubunmi Oyewole (Osun State) – Reserve NORTH CENTRAL:

Hon Jummai Sankey (Plateau State) – Priority Hon Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo (Plateau) – Reserve Hon Justice Stephen Adah (Kogi State) – Priority Hon Justice Ridman Maiwada Abdullahi (Nassarawa State) – Reserve Hon Justice Baba Idris (Niger State) – Priority Hon Justice Joseph Ikyegh (Benue State) – Reserve NORTH EAST:

Hon Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani (Bauchi State) – Priority Hon Justice Abubakar Talba (Adamawa State) NORTH WEST:

Hon Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu (Jigawa State) – Priority Hon Justice Bello Aliyu (Zamfara State) – Reserve Hon Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar (Kebbi State) – Priority Hon Justice Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero (Kano State) – Reserve

Legal experts described the nominations as a positive step in ensuring a robust and representative apex court. The development is seen as crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary.

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