NJC awaits Tinubu’s approval, recommends Kekere-Ekun as next CJN, 28 others as judges
By Sodiq Adelakun
In a move to shape the future of Nigeria’s judiciary, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has forwarded a list of recommended appointments to President Bola Tinubu, nominating Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
If approved by President Bola Tinubu, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female CJN in Nigeria, after Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who held the position from 2012 to 2014.
In addition to recommending Justice Kekere-Ekun as the next CJN, the NJC also recommended 28 other candidates for appointment as judges of various state high courts and the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja. Among
The recommendation was made in the NJC’s 106th meeting, which was presided over by the current CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The recommended candidates are six judges for the High Court of Kwara State, including Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho Oba Muritala, Dikko Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike, and Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan.
The NJC also recommended one judge for the High Court of Kaduna State, Zubairu Murtala Ja’afaru, and four judges for the High Court of Benue State, including Kor Vincent Tersoo, Ikwulono Maigida, Maimuna Adagba, and Nguhemen Julie Tor.
Additionally, two judges were recommended for the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State: Onche Ogah Inalegwu and Igba Theophilus Terhile.
Furthermore, the NJC recommended eight judges for the High Court of Rivers State, including Onyiri Frank Ugoji, Victor Chinedum Obomanu, Godswill Vidal Oguguo, Rita Chituru Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi, and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi.
Six judges were also recommended for the High Court of Ondo State, including Daomi Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness, Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah Adegoroye, and Adeola Olufunke.
Also the NJC recommended one Kadi for the Sharia Court of Appeal, FCT Abuja, Muhammad Lawal Munir. All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective state governors.
