The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the promotion of 12 judges to the Court of Appeal as part of efforts to address vacancies within the nation’s judiciary.
The decision was reached during the Council’s 111th meeting held on Wednesday under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The recommendations have since been forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
According to a statement issued by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the judges nominated for elevation include Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, Justice Yakubu Mohammed, Justice Abodunde Oluwatoyin and Justice Ajuwa Raphael.
Others on the list are Justice Abua Ojie, Justice Ijohor Jennifer, Justice Shuaibu Bala, Justice Buba Njane, Justice Kado Sanusi, Justice Ademola Enikuomehin and Justice Dadom Veronica.
The Council also approved the recommendation of Christine Ende for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Benue State.
In addition, two individuals were nominated for appointment as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Katsina State.
The NJC explained that the appointments were aimed at filling vacancies created by the elevation and retirement of judicial officers at different levels of the judiciary.
The Council added that the move would strengthen the courts and improve the delivery of justice across the country.
In another development, the Council extended the tenure of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for an additional three months.
The extension takes effect from March 26, 2026, to June 26, 2026, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for the state.
The NJC commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for refusing to be sworn in contrary to constitutional provisions.
The Council described the action as a strong example of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.
It further urged the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to fast-track the appointment process for a substantive Chief Judge, stressing that the move was necessary to preserve judicial independence and ensure stability in the administration of justice.
On disciplinary matters, the Council rejected appeals filed by eight judges from the Imo State judiciary who sought to overturn their compulsory retirement over allegations of age falsification.
The affected judges were among 10 judicial officers earlier recommended for compulsory retirement during the NJC’s 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025.
According to the Council, nine of the officers were discovered to have altered their dates of birth in official documents in order to unlawfully extend their years of service.
Another judge, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu, was accused of making himself available to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge despite ranking fourth in the judicial hierarchy, contrary to Section 271(4) of the Constitution.
The NJC said the judges failed to provide fresh evidence capable of overturning the disciplinary measures earlier imposed on them.
However, the Council reinstated Hon. Justice T.I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal after new evidence submitted before the review committee was confirmed to be authentic.
The Council also reviewed 13 petitions filed against judicial officers across the country concerning the handling of cases before them.
Eight of the petitions were dismissed on grounds including lack of merit, failure to diligently prosecute the complaints and expiration of the legal time limit.
Meanwhile, the NJC imposed sanctions on Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court and Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
Both judges were suspended for one year without pay over separate allegations of judicial misconduct.
Justice Shekarau was found culpable for granting an ex parte order in violation of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
The petition against him was filed by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma, who alleged that the judge ordered the transfer of N7 million from her bank account to a third party without a substantive suit before the court.
She claimed that the application was filed, heard and granted on the same day and that the ruling wrongly suggested her involvement in fraud despite the absence of any criminal charge against her.
The petitioner also accused the judge of failing to verify claims of an erroneous transfer before issuing the order, an action she described as judicial misconduct.
Following its investigation, the committee concluded that Justice Shekarau acted in bad faith, ignored due process and displayed a lack of professional competence.
Justice Okpe was similarly suspended after a petition filed by Mr. Sunday Emmanuel Oso, who accused the judge of bias and denial of fair hearing in a matrimonial dispute involving Lateefat Adeola Oso and Sunday Emmanuel Oso.
Oso alleged that although hearing notices fixed the matter for September 19, 2024, the court proceeded to hear and grant an ex parte application on September 17, 2024, without notifying him.
He further claimed that when the matter later returned to court, the judge refused to entertain his motion and instead initiated committal proceedings against him for allegedly disobeying the earlier ex parte order.
The investigative committee found that Justice Okpe violated Rule 3.3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by granting orders that resulted in committal proceedings without giving the petitioner an opportunity to defend himself.
In another decision, the NJC resolved to refer one Mbadiwe Ossai to the Inspector-General of Police for investigation and possible prosecution over allegations of perjury.
The Council also referred Adeboye Williams Adewale, Dr. Peter N. Ekemezie, Dr. Martin Odika and Muhammad Hamza Ahmad-Gana to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for allegedly submitting frivolous petitions intended to harass judicial officers.
Additionally, the Council barred a frequent petitioner, Yusuf Isa, from filing further complaints before the body.
The NJC also reaffirmed that Nigeria’s Constitution does not prohibit retired public servants from being appointed into judicial office.
Under its newly adopted policy, any retired public servant seeking judicial appointment must have at least 10 years remaining before reaching the mandatory retirement age for judges.
The policy also requires intending judicial appointees to disclose any criminal convictions, provide full employment records and explain reasons for leaving previous positions.
Prospective candidates are equally expected to declare any existing employment obligations and reveal their financial status, including circumstances of financial embarrassment.
