The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices nominated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to fill the vacancies available at the apex court.
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, during a plenary session.
President Tinubu had asked the Senate to confirm the nominees, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions following the death and resignation of some justices.
The nominees confirmed are Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast) who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-east) and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-east)
Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-east), Justice Stephen Adah (North-central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-west), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-central).
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno, (APC, Borno State), while presenting the report of the Committee, said that the nominees possessed the requisite qualifications and experience to occupy the positions and that there was no petition against them, thus recommending their confirmation.
Delay in appointments
Senators, who spoke before the confirmation, had expressed concerns over the delay in the appointment of justices for the Supreme Court bench.
Senator Seriake Dickson had urged that in the event of subsequent vacancies, a provision for their immediate replacement should be made.
“Anytime these vacancies occur, they should be filled immediately. I want to draw that to the attention of the President. There shouldn’t be delay so that we don’t become a laughing stock,” he said.
The Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele said that it was important that those who were next in line be screened and appointed immediately as the vacancies occur at the apex court.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu stressed that the funds allocated to the Supreme Court in the 2024 budget be reviewed to ensure its effectiveness.
“The Senate should look at the budget of the Judiciary because even the state courts are in a mess. How can they give good justice? This is not the way it was before, we were doing better” he said.
With the confirmation of the 11 justices, the Supreme Court now has the complete statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.
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The National Judicial Council (NJC) headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria recommended the eleven nominees to President Tinubu.
The NJC made the recommendation after receiving a list of 22 nominees to fill the vacant positions at the Supreme Court.
The nominees have to be cleared by the Senate before they can be sworn in as Supreme Court justices.
Currently, the Supreme Court bench operates with 10 justices which falls below the statutory requirement of 21 judges.
The current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has pledged to ensure the court has its constitutional number of judges.
Emmanuel Ukoh
