The National Judicial Council has recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal while also suspending two judges for one year without pay over allegations of judicial misconduct.
The decisions were taken at the council’s 111th meeting held on May 13, 2026, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC said the appointments were necessary to fill existing vacancies and improve judicial efficiency across the country.
“The appointments were aimed at filling vacancies arising from the elevation and retirement of Judicial Officers across various levels of the Judiciary and to strengthen the capacity of courts for effective justice delivery,” the statement read.
Those recommended for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal include Yakubu Abdulhammeed Mohammed, Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, Raphael Ajuwa, Elias Ojie Abua, Mbalamen Jennifer Ijohor, Sabiu Bala Shuaibu, James Kolawole Omotosho, Emeka Nwite, Dauda Njane Buba, Sanusi Kado, Enikuomehin Ademola and Julcit Veronica Dadom.
The council also recommended Christine T. Clement Ende for appointment as Judge of the Benue State High Court, alongside Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.
The NJC explained that earlier concerns raised about the eligibility of some nominees were reviewed and resolved based on constitutional interpretation.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) does not prohibit retired public servants from judicial appointment,” the council stated, referencing a Court of Appeal decision in Ayoola v. Baruwa (1999) to support its position.
It also introduced a new guideline requiring that retired public servants considered for judicial appointment must have “a minimum of ten years remaining in service before attaining the mandatory judicial retirement age.”
On administrative matters, the council extended the tenure of Justice Ijeoma O. Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State by three months to allow the completion of the process for appointing a substantive Chief Judge.
The NJC also commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for refusing to take an oath outside established constitutional procedures, describing the action as “a demonstration of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.”
On disciplinary actions, the council rejected appeals from eight Imo State judges who were compulsorily retired over alleged age falsification, stating they failed to present new evidence to overturn earlier decisions.
It, however, reinstated Justice T. I. Nze after reviewing fresh evidence submitted to its committee.
In addition, the NJC suspended Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau for one year without pay over what it described as “judicial misconduct involving the grant of an ex parte order.”
The council said, “the judge acted in bad faith, failed to observe due process and demonstrated a lack of professional competence.”
Another judge, Justice Edward A. E. Okpe, also received a one-year suspension without pay after being found to have granted an ex parte order that led to committal proceedings without hearing from the affected party.
The NJC further disclosed that it dismissed 73 petitions filed against judicial officers for lack of merit, lack of diligent prosecution, or being time-barred, while 11 petitions were referred for further investigation.
It also issued commendations to nine judges for outstanding performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years and approved 256 performance-related letters to judicial officers across the judiciary.
