NJC clears 84 Judges, 9 Heads of Courts for appointment

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of nine Heads of Courts and 84 other judicial officers.

Those recommended for appointments would serve in states and federal courts in the country.

They have been interviewed for the job by the NJC during its 100th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The recommended persons would after their appointments serve at the federal and state courts in the country.

The NJC director of information, Mr Soji Oye, said the decisions were taken at the council’s meeting held between January 18 and 19.

He added that all candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations by the respective state governors and the respective State Houses of Assembly, as the case may be.

Those recommended for appointment as heads of courts are: Justice Muhammad Tukur Mu’azu Aliyu (as Chief Judge of Kaduna State); Justice Majebi Josiah Joe (Chief Judge, Kogi State); Justice Odusola Aiyedun Olusegun (Chief Judge, Ondo State), and Justice Halima Sa’addiya Mohammed (Chief Judge, Gombe State).

Others are Justice Lilian Abai (Chief Judge, Abia State); Justice Abdulateef Kamaldeen (as Grand Kadi, Kwara State); Justice Stanley Adekunle Lawal (as President, Customary Court of Appeal, FCT, Abuja); Justice Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde (as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State), and Justice Uhuo Patrick Uchenna (as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Ebonyi State).

The NJC also recommended Akinbinu Sylvester Femi, Leonard Boyede Ologun, Bolatito Florence Ajibade and Akinwumi Bankole Jacob as judges of the High Court of Ondo State.

As judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State, the NJC recommended Lawrence Babatope Ojo, Adegboye Rotimi Adesoji and Ogundele Olufolakemi Olufunke.

In the same way, the High Court of Borno State, recommended Amina Mustapha Ibrahim, Mohammed Maina, Hafsatu Isah Bappah, Bukar Malgwi Umar and Mallam Buna Makinta for appointment as judges.

For the High Court of Sokoto State, it recommended Bashar Ibrahim, Fatima Ahmadu Suka, Abubakar Adamu, Kabiru Muhammad and Amina Modi Yabo.

It also recommended Etomike Innocent Ndigwe and Tagbo Chinwuba Anieto as judges of the High Court of Anambra State, and Idris Adamu and Mustapha Abdullahi Ahmad as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Sokoto State.

As judges of the High Court of Ogun State, the NJC recommended Oluwafunke Omolara Odubanjo, Adelaja Adeola Ireti, Basirat Bolanle Adebowale, Adebayo Bamidele Adedapo, Ayodele Adebayo Omoniyi, Sunday Olufemi Adeniyi, Awofeso Ireti-Olu Babatunde and Abimola Christopher Shokunbi.

The NJC, while recommending Charlie Ebiyon Duke and Ekadi Amadise Michael as judges of the High Court of Bayelsa State, also recommended Okokon Edem Nyong and Amajama Jacob Eneji as judges of the High Court of Cross River State.

Also, Esther Awo Ota, Ukeni Ogoke Stella Ejituruchi, Ruth Obaji Okeh, Blessing Ibeabuchi Chukwu, Christopher Ofoke Mbam and Francis-Abba Solange Amaka were recommended for Ebonyi State High Court.

For the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, the NJC recommended Buhari Sani, Damachi-Onugba Agede Joyce, Hassan Muhammed Yakubu, Sandra Audu Yelwa, Subilim Emmanuel Danjuma and Adamu Hamza.

For the High Court of Adamawa State, it recommended Christopher Dominic Mapeo, Ahmed Isa, Mohammed Ibrahim Tola and Benjamin Lawan Manji.

The NJC recommended the appointment of Isa Yusuf Khalid as Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Adamawa State, and Adabala Nicholas as a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Adamawa State.

For Rivers State High Court, it recommended Asivosuo Maccarthy Oriye, Omonigho Nwibani, Comfort Ifikmotu- Awaji Adangor, Prince Chika Mini and Beauty Ihuoma Emmanuel-Okere.

It also recommend Odiki Daniel- Kalio and Tetenwi Ngeli Elerabari for appointment as judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Rivers State, and Abdullahi Muhammad Gusau, Umar Adulnasir, Saad Garba Gurbin-Bore and Muntaka Ahmad Ya’akubu as judges of the High Court of Zamfara State.

For the High Court of Osun State, the NJC recommended Lasisi Muhammmed Adebayo, Awe Micheal Oludare, Fatimah Adejoke Sodamade and Owolawi Joseph Olukunle.

The NJC recommended Adamu Mohammed Jajere as a judge of the High Court of Yobe State; Kasim Mohammed Kasim as Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Yobe State; Dorothy Sim Inwulale, Atung Dorcaas Tabitta and Yusuf Yakubu as judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Kaduna State.

It recommended Jettei T. Pekun as a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Plateau State; and for the High Court of Kaduna State, recommended Yakubu Bodamasi, Abdullahi Isiaka, Buhari Mohammed Balarabe, Bashir Shitu Yusuf, Nana Fatima Mohammed, John Aku Ambi and Joyce Asabe.

The NJC equally recommended Aminu Ahmad Jumare, Nuhu Mahmud, Murtala Nasir, Abdulrahman Ibrahim and Mahdi Muhammad Suraj as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Kaduna State.