15, May 2026
The National Judicial Council has recommended 12 judges for elevation to the Court of Appeal following its 111th meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The recommendations have been sent to President Bola Tinubu for approval. According to a statement from NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the 12 justices recommended are:
1. Justice Emeka Nwite
2. Justice James Kolawole Omotosho
3. Justice Yakubu Mohammed
4. Justice Abodunde Oluwatoyin
5. Justice Ajuwa Raphael
6. Justice Abua Ojie
7. Justice Ijohor Jennifer
8. Justice Shuaibu Bala
9. Justice Buba Njane
10. Justice Kado Sanusi
11. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin
12. Justice Dadom Veronica
The Council also recommended Christine Ende for appointment as a Judge of the Benue State High Court, and two candidates for appointment as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal. The NJC said these appointments are meant to fill vacancies created by elevations and retirements, and to boost the courts’ capacity to deliver justice efficiently.
*Extension for Imo Acting Chief Judge*
The NJC extended the tenure of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another 3 months, effective March 26 to June 26, 2026. The extension is to allow time to complete the process of appointing a substantive Chief Judge.
The Council praised Justice Ononeze-Madu for refusing to be sworn in contrary to constitutional procedure, calling it a display of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law. It urged the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to speed up the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge to ensure stability and protect judicial independence.
*Disciplinary Actions*
On discipline, the NJC rejected appeals from eight Imo State judges seeking to reverse their compulsory retirement over age falsification. These judges were part of 10 judicial officers recommended for compulsory retirement at the Council’s 109th meeting on June 25, 2025.
Nine were found to have altered their dates of birth in official records to extend their service illegally. The 10th, Justice T. Nzeukwu, was found to have allowed himself to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in seniority, which violates Section 271(4) of the Constitution. The Council said the judges did not present new evidence to justify reversing the sanctions.
However, Hon. Justice T. I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal was reinstated after submitting new, authentic evidence to the review committee.
After reviewing 13 investigation reports on petitions against judges, the NJC dismissed 8 petitions for lack of merit, poor prosecution, or being filed out of time. It imposed one-year suspensions without pay on:
– *Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau*, High Court of Nasarawa State, for granting an ex parte order in breach of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. Petitioner Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma alleged he ordered the transfer of N7 million from her account without a pending suit, without verifying the claim, and without hearing her side.
– *Justice Edward A. E. Okpe*, FCT High Court, for denying fair hearing in a matrimonial case. Petitioner Sunday Emmanuel Oso said the judge heard and granted an ex parte application without notice, then proceeded with committal proceedings for disobeying that order.
*Referrals and Bar on Frivolous Petitions*
The Council referred Mbadiwe Ossai to the Inspector-General of Police for investigation and prosecution over alleged perjury. Four lawyers—Adeboye Williams Adewale, Dr. Peter N. Ekemezie, Dr. Martin Odika, and Muhammad Hamza Ahmad-Gana—were referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for filing frivolous petitions aimed at harassing judges.
Yusuf Isa, identified as a serial petitioner, was barred from submitting further petitions to the NJC.
*New Policy on Retired Public Servants*
The NJC also reaffirmed that the Nigerian Constitution does not bar retired public servants from judicial appointment. Under the new policy, retired public servants must:
– Have at least 10 years left before the mandatory judicial retirement age
– Disclose any criminal convictions
– Provide full employment history and reasons for leaving past roles
– Declare current employment obligations
– Disclose financial status, including any history of financial embarrassment
