The National Judicial Council has sent the names of 12 High Court judges to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal. The list includes Justices James Kolawole Omotosho and Emeka Nwite, both of the Federal High Court, who have presided over high-profile political and criminal cases. The other judges recommended are Yakubu Mohammed, Abodunde Oluwatoyin, Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Ojie, Ijohor Jennifer, Shuaib Bala, Buba Njana, Kado Sanusi, Adeola Enikuomehin and Dandom Veronica. Their names were forwarded after interviews conducted during the NJC's 111th meeting, led by Chief Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Motomori.
The appointments aim to fill vacancies at the Court of Appeal created by promotions to the Supreme Court and retirements. The NJC also recommended Christine Clement Ende for appointment to the Benue State High Court bench. Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura were recommended for appointment as Kadis in the Katsina Sharia Court of Appeal. Two judges, Ibrahim Shekarau of Benue State High Court and Edward Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, were suspended for one year without pay for judicial misconduct. They were found guilty of issuing frivolous orders and denying fair hearing to litigants.
Eight former Imo State High Court judges—B. C Iheka, K. A Leaweanya, Okereke Ngozi, Innocent Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T. N Nzeukwu—failed in their bid to return to service after being compulsorily retired. The NJC upheld their retirement, having found them guilty of falsifying their ages to extend their tenure. A total of 256 judicial officers were queried for poor performance and other offences. The council dismissed 73 petitions filed against judicial officers for being without merit.
The NJC recommends judges for promotion while suspending others for denying fair hearing, exposing a split in judicial accountability. Justices Omotosho and Nwite, who handled sensitive political cases, are set for elevation despite the council punishing peers for similar courtroom influence. The same body that blocked eight Imo judges over age falsification approved others whose ages were not publicly verified. This uneven scrutiny leaves room for doubt about the fairness of the screening process.
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