The National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 111th Meeting held on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has recommended the appointment of twelve new Justices of the Court of Appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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The recommendations are intended to fill vacancies arising from the elevation and retirement of judicial officers across various levels of the judiciary and to strengthen the capacity of courts for effective justice delivery.
The 12 Recommended Justices
The judicial officers recommended for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal are:
Hon. Justice Yakubu Abdulhammeed Mohammed; Hon. Justice Abodunde Monisola Oluwatoyin; Hon. Justice Ajuwa Raphael; Hon. Justice Abua Elias Ojie; Hon. Justice Ijohor Mbalamen Jennifer; Hon. Justice Shuaibu Sabiu Bala; Hon. Justice Omotosho James Kolawole; Hon. Justice Nwite Emeka; Hon. Justice Buba Dauda Njane; Hon. Justice Kado Sanusi; Hon. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin; and Hon. Justice Dadom Julcit Veronica.
Selection Process
The NJC stated that all recommendations followed a rigorous selection process conducted in accordance with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers. The process involved public scrutiny of the candidates, evaluation of complaints received from stakeholders, and interviews conducted by a nine-member Interview Committee established for the purpose.
The multi-layered vetting procedure is designed to ensure that only judicial officers of proven competence, integrity, and good character are elevated to the appellate bench. Candidates are typically assessed on their judicial track record, the quality of their judgments, their temperament, their understanding of the law, and their overall conduct on and off the bench.
Significance of the Appointments
The recommendation of twelve new justices at a single meeting represents a significant injection of judicial manpower into the Court of Appeal, which has long grappled with a heavy caseload and backlogs across its various divisions nationwide. The Court of Appeal, as Nigeria’s intermediate appellate court, handles appeals from the Federal High Court, State High Courts, the National Industrial Court, and various other tribunals, making it one of the busiest courts in the country’s judicial hierarchy.
The vacancies being filled arose from a combination of elevations of sitting Court of Appeal justices to the Supreme Court and the retirement of others upon attaining the mandatory retirement age. The appointments, once approved by the President, will bolster the capacity of the appellate court to dispose of cases more efficiently and reduce the waiting time for litigants seeking appellate justice.
Notable Names
Among the twelve recommended justices is Hon. Justice Omotosho James Kolawole, a name familiar to followers of Nigerian legal affairs. Justice Omotosho has presided over several high-profile cases at the Federal High Court, including notable corruption trials and politically sensitive matters, earning a reputation for firmness and judicial thoroughness.
The list also reflects geographical and gender diversity within the judiciary, with the recommended justices drawn from various parts of the country. The inclusion of Hon. Justice Ijohor Mbalamen Jennifer, Hon. Justice Abodunde Monisola Oluwatoyin, and Hon. Justice Dadom Julcit Veronica on the list ensures female representation among the new appellate justices.
Other Judicial Appointments
In addition to the twelve Court of Appeal recommendations, the NJC also recommended Christine T. Clement Ende for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Benue State, and Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura for appointment as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
The consideration of Yakubu and Daura had earlier been stepped down in January 2026 following a petition by Tanimu Yusuf dated November 20, 2025, which questioned their eligibility on account of prior retirement from public service. After due examination of the issues raised, the Council concluded its deliberations and approved their recommendation.
The resolution of the Yakubu and Daura matter prompted the NJC to adopt a landmark policy reaffirming that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) does not prohibit retired public servants from judicial appointment. The decision was guided by the Court of Appeal’s decision in Ayoola v. Baruwa (1999), which affirmed that no constitutional provision precludes a retired legal practitioner from appointment to the Bench.
Under the newly adopted policy, a retired public servant seeking judicial appointment must have a minimum of ten years remaining in service before attaining the mandatory judicial retirement age, must disclose any criminal conviction, must provide full employment history and reasons for leaving previous employment, must declare existing employment obligations, and must disclose financial status including any circumstance of financial embarrassment.
NJC Press Release of 14 May 2026The recommendations now go to President Tinubu for consideration and approval. Upon presidential approval, the recommended justices will be formally appointed and sworn in as Justices of the Court of Appeal, while Christine T. Clement Ende will be appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Benue State, and Yakubu and Daura will be appointed as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
The NJC’s press release was signed by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq., Deputy Director, Information, National Judicial Council.
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