The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, alongside 35 other candidates for various judicial offices.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) made its recommendations at its 110th meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun. Justice Oyewole, who currently serves as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, was the sole nominee for elevation to the apex court.
In addition, the Council approved the appointment of 27 new judges to State High Courts across Borno, Niger, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Delta, and Ekiti states. It also recommended six Kadis for the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina States, as well as two judges for the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.
These recommendations followed a rigorous screening process, including consideration of public complaints and interviews in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines. The NJC extended the tenure of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, by three months, urging the Imo State Governor to constitute the State Judicial Service Commission.
The NJC cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of allegations of financial recklessness, finding no evidence of misappropriation or misconduct. It dismissed a petition against Hon. Justice Gentu E. Timi of Delta State High Court and set aside the suspension of Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division. Overall, the NJC reviewed 39 petitions, dismissing 26 for lack of merit, ordering investigations into seven, and issuing cautions to two judges.
The Council warned against indiscriminate ex parte orders and constituted a committee to review the dismissal of nine Imo State judges.
