*Justice Adah:, Justice Ndukwe-Anyanwu, Justice Ikyegh, And Justice Sankey Eye Supreme Court Bench

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has commenced the process to appoint 11 new justices to the Supreme Court bench. This move comes amidst controversy over the exclusion of some regions in the court’s composition.

Currently, the Supreme Court has only 10 out of a total 21 judges, the lowest number in its contemporary history according to the CJN. The retirement and death of justices representing the South East and North Central regions has left those zones with no representation on the apex court.

Sources reveal the National Judicial Council (NJC) chaired by the CJN plans to fill the vacancies to the Supreme Court’s full complement for the first time ever. The NJC is likely to elevate justices from the Court of Appeal to fill 6 slots for the South East and North Central.

The 1999 Constitution requires each of the six geopolitical zones to have three representatives at the Supreme Court bench. Filling the 11 vacant positions has become urgent to ease the workload on existing justices and ensure regional representation.

Notably, the South East and North Central regions have lost their representation in the Supreme Court due to the retirement and demise of specific justices, making the appointment of new justices essential for achieving regional balance.

Several senior justices of the Court of Appeal are in contention for the prestigious roles. Some of the esteemed justices under consideration include:

  1. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah: Known for his role on the Presidential Election Petitions Court, he is a prominent justice from the North-Central region.
  2. Justice Uzoamaka I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu: Renowned for her fearless and unbiased approach to justice, she has reached the pinnacle of her career at the appellate court.
  3. Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh: Transferred to the Port-Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, his decisions have made a significant impact on key cases, including election petitions.
  4. Justice Juammai Sankey: A highly respected senior justice from Plateau State, she boasts a notable legal career and holds a significant position in the hierarchy.

These potential appointments are crucial to restore regional balance and promote fairness within the Supreme Court. The CJN had decried the declining number of Supreme Court justices as worrisome and promised measures to appoint more.

The remaining ten justices of the court are CJN Ariwoola, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who is next in line for the position of CJN, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JusticeJohn Inyang Okoro, Justice Lawal Garba, Justice Helen M. Ogunwumiju, Justice I.N. M. Saulawa, Justice Adamu Jauro, Justice Tijjani Abubakar and Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim.

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