On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices nominated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to fill existing vacancies in the apex court.
The confirmation followed the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters’ consideration and adoption of a report during a plenary session.
President Tinubu had requested the Senate’s confirmation of nominees recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill positions left vacant due to the deaths and resignations of some justices.
The confirmed nominees include Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast), former chair of 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).
Senator Mohammed Monguno, the Committee Chairman, presented the report, stating that the nominees possessed the necessary qualifications and experience with no petitions against them and recommending their confirmation.
Senators expressed concerns about the delay in appointing justices for the Supreme Court bench. Senator Seriake Dickson emphasised the need for immediate replacements in the event of subsequent vacancies.
The Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, highlighted the importance of screening and appointing the next in line immediately to fill vacancies as they occur.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu urged a review of the judiciary’s budget for effective operations.
With the confirmation of these 11 justices, the Supreme Court now meets the statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.
The National Judicial Council recommended these nominees to President Tinubu, addressing the existing shortfall of judges on the Supreme Court bench. The nominees required Senate clearance before being sworn in as Supreme Court justices. Presently, the Supreme Court operates with 10 justices, below the constitutional requirement of 21 judges. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has committed to ensuring the court reaches its constitutional complement of judges.