From Victor Osula, Abuja
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 12 judicial officers as new Justices of the Court of Appeal.
The Council also suspended two judges for one year without pay over judicial misconduct, introduced a new policy regulating the eligibility of retired public servants for judicial appointments, reinstated one compulsorily retired Imo judge, and dismissed dozens of petitions against judicial officers nationwide.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the Council said decisions were reached at the NJC’s 111th meeting held on May 13, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
It emphasised that the recommendations were intended to fill vacancies arising from retirements and elevations within the judiciary while strengthening the institutional capacity of courts.
The 12 judicial officers recommended to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal are: “Hon. Justice Yakubu Abdulhammeed Mohammed, Hon. Justice Abodunde Monisola Oluwatoyin, Hon. Justice Ajuwa Raphael, Hon. Justice Abua Elias Ojie, Hon. Justice Ijohor Mbalamen Jennifer, Hon. Justice Shuaibu Sabiu Bala, Hon. Justice Omotosho James Kolawole, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, Hon. Justice Buba Dauda Njane, Hon. Justice Kado Sanusi, Hon. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin, and Hon. Justice Dadom Julcit Veronica.”
The NJC also recommended Christine T. Clement Ende for appointment as Judge of the Benue State High Court, alongside Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
According to the council, the appointments followed a rigorous selection process involving public scrutiny, stakeholder feedback, and interviews conducted by a nine-member interview committee in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers.
In one of its major policy decisions, the NJC reaffirmed that the 1999 constitution does not prohibit retired public servants from being appointed as judicial officers.
The council cited the Court of Appeal judgment in Ayoola v. Baruwa (1999), which held that no constitutional provision precludes a retired legal practitioner from appointment to the Bench.
However, it introduced fresh conditions for such appointments. Under the new policy, any retired public servant seeking judicial office must have at least 10 years remaining before attaining the mandatory retirement age for judges.
Applicants are also expected to disclose any criminal convictions, provide full employment history and reasons for leaving previous employment, declare existing employment obligations, and reveal their financial status, including any instances of financial embarrassment.
It explained that the policy was introduced to ensure adequate institutional returns on judicial training investments while promoting continuity, stability, and efficiency within the judiciary.
The NJC further extended the appointment of Hon. Justice Ijeoma O. Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another three months, effective from March 26 to June 26, 2026, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
The council commended Hon. Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in contrary to established constitutional procedure, describing the action as a demonstration of integrity, institutional discipline, and respect for the rule of law.
It also urged the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to expedite action on the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge to ensure stability and effective administration of justice in the state.
On disciplinary matters, the NJC rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary seeking reversal of their compulsory retirement over allegations of age falsification.
The council maintained that the judges failed to present fresh evidence capable of justifying a reversal of the sanctions earlier imposed on them.
The affected judges are Hon. Justice B.C. Iheka, Hon. Justice K.A. Leweanya, Hon. Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Hon. Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Hon. Justice Ofoha Uchenna, Hon. Justice Everyman Eleanya, Hon. Justice Rosemond Ibe, and Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu.
According to the NJC, nine judicial officers were earlier found to have altered their dates of birth in official records to unlawfully extend their years in service, while Justice Nzeukwu was found to have made himself available to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in judicial hierarchy, contrary to Section 271(4) of the Constitution.
However, the Council reinstated Hon. Justice T.I. Nze of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after new evidence presented before a review committee was found to be authentic.
The NJC also considered 13 investigation reports arising from petitions filed against judicial officers across the federation.
Following deliberations, eight petitions were dismissed for lack of merit, want of diligent prosecution, or because they were statute-barred, while disciplinary sanctions were imposed in two cases where misconduct was established.
Among those sanctioned was Hon. Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court, who was suspended for one year without pay over judicial misconduct involving the grant of an ex parte order in breach of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
The suspension followed a petition by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma in relation to Suit No. NSD/MG56M/2025.
The petitioner alleged that the judge granted an ex parte order directing the transfer of N7 million from her bank account to a third party despite the absence of a substantive suit before the court.
She further alleged that the application was filed, heard, and granted on the same day without proper verification of the disputed transaction.
The NJC said the judge acted in breach of Rules 3.1, 3.3, and 3.5 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
Similarly, Hon. Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was suspended for one year without pay over allegations of denial of fair hearing in a matrimonial dispute.
The council said the judge granted an ex parte application that resulted in committal proceedings against a litigant without giving him the opportunity to be heard, contrary to Rule 3.3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
The petition against Justice Okpe was filed by Mr. Sunday Emmanuel Oso in relation to Suit No. FCT/HC/PET/529/2024 between Lateefat Adeola Oso and Sunday Emmanuel Oso.
In another decision, the NJC dismissed a petition against Hon. Justice Charles N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court over allegations linked to the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis.
The council described the allegations as unsubstantiated and directed that the petitioner, Daniel Chibuzor Amadi Esq., be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action over what it described as reckless and unsupported allegations.
The NJC also reviewed reports on 98 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees. Out of the petitions considered, 68 were dismissed for lacking merit, four judges were cautioned, one judge received a final warning, and 11 petitions were recommended for further investigation.
The Council further adopted reports suspending proceedings in some petitions because the matters were already pending before courts.
In addition, one Mbadiwe Ossai was referred to the Inspector-General of Police for investigation and possible prosecution over alleged perjury.
Four legal practitioners including Adeboye Williams Adewale Esq., Dr. Peter N. Ekemezie Esq., Dr. Martin Odika Esq., and Muhammad Hamza Ahmad-Gana Esq., were referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for allegedly filing frivolous petitions intended to harass judicial officers.
The NJC also barred one Yusuf Isa, described as a serial petitioner, from presenting further petitions before the Council.
On judicial performance evaluation, the Council commended nine judges for exemplary performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years.
Two judges are to receive commendation letters for delivering more than 21 considered judgments within the review period, while seven others will receive appreciation letters for commendable performance.
The Council also approved the issuance of 256 letters to judicial officers over various performance-related matters.
The NJC further approved the retirement of Hon. Justice Hamma Akawu Barka of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, who retired on April 17, 2026; Hon. Justice Amina Audi Wambai of the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, who is due to retire on July 6, 2026; and Hon. Justice Bello Mohammed Shinkafi of the Zamfara State High Court, who will voluntarily retire on July 31, 2026.
