President Bola Tinubu has urged the Senate to vet and approve 11 justices proposed for the Supreme Court bench, as outlined in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended these nominees to Tinubu for Supreme Court Justice appointments, pending their confirmation by the Senate. This recommendation follows the NJC’s receipt of a list of 22 candidates to fill vacant positions at the Supreme Court, arising from the passing and resignations of several justices.
The nominated justices encompass Justice Haruna Tsammani (North-East), who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-Central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-East), and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-East).
Others include Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (North-West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North-West), and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).
The Senate President referred this confirmation request to the Senate Committee on Judiciary for vetting and additional legislative considerations.
Currently, the Supreme Court bench holds 10 justices, falling short of the required 21 judges. Only four of the six geopolitical zones are represented, with the South-West and North-East having three justices each, while the South-South and North-West have two each.
Notably, the South-East and North-Central regions lack representation due to the retirement of Dattijo Muhammad from Niger State in the North-Central in October and the passing of Centus Nweze from Enugu State in the South-East in July.
If these recommended justices are approved, the South-East will secure three positions on the Supreme Court bench, while the North-Central will also have three justices represented.
