The National Judicial Council, NJC, has forwarded 12 High Court Judges to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal ahead of the litigations that may arise in the 2027 general elections.
The recommendations of the judges to the Presidency for
elevation into the intermediary Appellate Court Bench was made by the NJC at
its just concluded 111th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria
CJN, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Motomori.
NJC in a statement on Friday by its Deputy Director of
Information, Mrs Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe said that the Court of Appeal
Justices, when appointed, would fill the vacancies at the Court occasioned by
elevation of some to the Supreme Court bench and retirement of others upon
attaining retirement age.
Prominent among the Federal High Court judges sought be
moved to the Court of Appeal are Justices James Kolawole Omotosho and Emeka
Nwite, who in recent times handled high profile political and criminal matters
effectively at the Federal High Court bench.
Other High Court judges are Yakubu Mohammed, Abodunde
Oluwatoyin, Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Ojie, Ijohor Jennifer, Shuaib Bala, Buba Njana,
Kado Sanusi, Adeola Enikuomehin and Dandom Veronica.
They were recommended to President Tinubu after passing
through rigorous interviews and found worthy of being diligent judicial of
repute in character and performance.
In the same vein, Christine Clement Ende was recommended for
appointment into Benue High Court bench while Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura
were recommended for appointment as Kadi of Katsina Sharia Court of Appeal.
Two other High Court Judges have, however, been penalized
for various judicial misconduct in the discharge of their judicial functions.
They are Ibrahim Shekarau of the High Court of Benue state
and Edward Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory who were
placed on one year suspension without pay.
They were found guilty for granting frivolous orders against
litigants appearing before them and outright denial of fair hearing to favour
an opposing party.
Similarly, eight other Imo State High Court Judges sent on
compulsory retirement lost their battle to have their reviewed and recalled
back into service.
The NJC refused their plea and they are B. C Iheka, K. A
Leaweanya, Okereke Ngozi, Innocent Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya,
Rosemond Ibe and T. N Nzeukwu.
The NJC had indicted them for fraud of falsifying their ages
to enable them stay longer in service and were subsequently retired from the
service.
The NJC statement just released by the Deputy Director
indicates that 256 Judicial officers got queried for various offences
especially poor performance in the discharge of their duties.
Also, the NJC dismissed 73 petitions filed against other
judicial officers by some lawyers and litigants.
The petitions were found to be baseless and without merit to
warrant issuing punishment against any of the judicial officers.
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