Factors Behind Nomination Of 22 New S/Court Justices

In response to the increasing vacancies at the nation’s apex court, the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has nominated 22 justices for elevation to the Supreme Court bench. The nominations, distributed across the six geopolitical zones, aim to address the gaps resulting from recent retirements and deaths of justices.

The list, submitted by the FJSC on Thursday, has been forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further proceedings. Notable inclusions are Jumai Sankey and Muhammed Ibrahim Sirajo for North Central, Haruna Tsammani and Abubakar Talba for North East, and Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu and Bello Aliyu for North West.

The South East nominations feature Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa and Onyekachi Otisi, while Moore Adumein and Biobele Georgewill represent South South. Adewale Abiru and Olubunmi Oyewole round out the list for South West.

Sources indicate that the decision to nominate these justices stems from the pressing need to fill the void left by the death or retirement of 12 justices in the past two years. This move is a response to ensure compliance with Section 230 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, which stipulates a bench of 21 justices for the Supreme Court.

The concerns raised by retired Supreme Court Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad on October 27 regarding the diminishing number of justices further underscored the urgency to address the shortages at the highest judicial level.