CJN Ariwoola Shortlists 22 Judges, Including Justices Wike, Kwahar, And Umaru, For Elevation To The Court Of Appeal

“The Federal Judicial Service Commission FJSC) has Shortlisted 22 judges from state and federal high courts for elevation to the Court of Appeal.

The list of newly shortlisted justices, titled ‘Appointment of 22 justices to the Court of Appeal,’ was signed by the Chairman of the FJSC, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Ariwoola on April 2, 2024, and marked FJSC/01/2024.

The selected judges were chosen from a pool of 89 nominees across all six geopolitical zones, following the retirement of several senior jurists. The priority list was sent to President Bola Tinubu for appointment.

Among the newly nominated judges are Justices Polycarp Tema Kwahar (Benue), Ruqayat Ayoola (Kogi), Eneche Eleojo (Kogi), Asmara Akanbi Yusuf (Kwara), Abdullahi Muhammad Liman (Nasarawa), and Abdu Dogo (FCT) from the North-Central region. Justice Fadahu Umaru, a Borno State indigene, was the sole nominee from the North East.

The North-West region saw the nomination of Justices Ishaq Mohammed Sani (Kaduna), Zainab Bage Abubakar (Kebbi), and Abdulaziz M. Ankara (Zamfara). Justices Nnamdi Okwy Dimga Victoria (Abia), Toochukwu Nwoye (Anambra), Henry Aja-Onu Njoku (Ebonyi), Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo (Enugu), and Ngozika N Okaisabor (Imo) were recommended for promotion from the South-East.

In the South-South region, Justices Ntong Festus Ntong (Akwa-Ibom), Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi (Edo), and Eberechi Suzette Wike (Rivers) were among those selected for elevation. The South-West region saw the nomination of Justices Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo (Lagos), Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi (Ogun), Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola (Oyo), and Bayo Ademola Taiwo (Oyo).

The elevation of these judges to the Court of Appeal, upon appointment by President Tinubu, is expected to bolster the judiciary’s capacity to administer justice efficiently and effectively across the nation.

However, investigations by TheNigeriaLawyer revealed that the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has forwarded the shortlist, recommending 44 judges to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for interviews, which have not yet taken place. This specific appointment process was initiated by the President of the Court of Appeal to the FJSC