FULL LIST: Chief Justice Ariwoola Approves Nomination of 22 New Appeal Court Judges, Including Wife of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has approved the nomination of 22 new Justices to the Court of Appeal. Among the notable nominees is Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, the wife of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Justice Nyesom-Wike hails from the Rivers Judicial Council.

The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M.B Dongban-Mensem, submitted the list of 22 judges to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), following the need to fill vacancies due to the elevation and retirement of some justices. The approval came during the 92nd meeting of the FJSC on March 27, 2024, where 89 nominees were reviewed. Of these, 22 were recommended for transmission to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further consideration.

Chief Justice Ariwoola, who also chairs the NJC, was involved in the nomination process. His approval solidifies the selection of the new justices for the Court of Appeal.

Here is the complete list of the 22 new Justices approved for appointment to the Court of Appeal, along with their regions:

North-Central

Hon. Justice Polycarp Tema Kwahar – Benue

Hon. Justice Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola – Kogi

Hon. Justice Eneche Eleojo – Kogi

Hon. Justice Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf – Kwara

Hon. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman – Nasarawa

Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo – FCT

North-East

Hon. Justice Fadawu Umaru – Borno

North-West

Hon. Justice Ishaq Mohammed Sani – Kaduna

Hon. Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar – Kebbi

Hon. Justice Abdulazeez M. Anka – Zamfara

South-East

Hon. Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimga – Abia

Hon. Justice Victoria Toochukwu Nwoye – Anambra

Hon. Justice Henry Aja-Onu Njoku – Ebonyi

Hon. Justice Donatus Uwnezuoke Okorowo – Enugu

Hon. Justice Ngozika N. Okaisabor – Imo

South-South

Hon. Justice Ntong Festus Ntong – Akwa Ibom

Hon. Justice Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi – Edo

Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike – Rivers

South-West

Hon. Justice Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo – Lagos

Hon. Justice Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi – Ogun

Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola – Oyo

Hon. Justice Bayo Ademola Taiwo – Oyo

These newly appointed Justices bring a wide range of experience and expertise, contributing to the judiciary’s ability to address a variety of legal issues in Nigeria’s Court of Appeal.