Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has formally requested the Senate’s confirmation for the appointment of eleven justices to the Supreme Court. The President’s letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was read during Wednesday’s plenary session.
President Tinubu indicated that the request aligns with Section 231 Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The nominees were recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC), presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, following the receipt of a list of 22 nominees to fill vacant positions at the Supreme Court.
The Senate must confirm the nominees before they can be sworn in as Supreme Court justices. Among the recommended justices are Haruna Simon Tsammani (North-east), who previously chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court; Moore Aseimo Adumein (South-south); Jummai Hannatu Sankey (North-central); Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa (South-east); and Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-east).
The list also includes Obande Festus Ogbuinya (South-east); Stephen Jonah Adah (North-central); Habeeb Adewale Abiru (South-west); Jamilu Yammama Tukur (North-west); Abubakar Sadiq Umar (North-west); and Mohammed Baba Idris (North-central).
Senate President Akpabio referred the President’s request to the Senate Committee on Judiciary for the screening of the nominees and further legislative input. The current composition of the Supreme Court bench comprises 10 justices, which falls below the statutory requirement of 21 judges. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has committed to ensuring that the court operates with its constitutional number of judges.