Senate confirms President Buhari’s nominees for Judicial Service Commission

Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominations of Nnamonso Ekanem and Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji as members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

The nominees who are from Akwa-Ibom and Niger States are to represent the South-South and North-Central zone on the Commission, respectively.

The nomination of Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, SAN from Niger State representing North-Central Zone Zone is CONFIRMED as member of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February 9, 2022

The nomination of Nnamoso Ekanem, SAN from Akwa-Ibom State representing South-South Zone is CONFIRMED as member of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February 9, 2022

Their confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

Presenting his report, Senator Bamidele recalled that both nominations were made by President Buhari pursuant to Section 154, subsections (1) and (3) in conformity with Paragraph 12 (e) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

According to Senator Bamidele, the nominees “are fit and proper persons for appointment as Members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.”

He disclosed that there was no petition or adverse report against the nominees, adding that, “record checks and other forms of investigations by security agencies did not reveal any negative trace against them.”

Senator Bamidele expressed satisfaction with the qualifications, experience, competence and integrity of the nominees as Members of the Commission.

ELECTRICITY REGULATION

In a related development, the Senate also on Wednesday, forwarded to it’s committee on power, President Buhari’s request for the confirmation of four nominees as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC).

The nominees who are to appear before the panel for screening include Dr. Yusuf Ali (North Central), Engr. Chidi Ike (South East), Mr. Nathan Shatti (North East) and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (South South).

The Committee was given two weeks by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to report back to the senate in plenary.