Nominees Positioned As Future CJNs
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 11 justices from different states and zones for elevation to the Supreme Court.
This list contains representation from all six geopolitical zones with North Central with 3, South East with 3, South South and South West with 1 each, and North West and North East having 2 nominees.
They are as follows:
| Name | State | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey OFR | Plateau | North Central |
| Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa | Abia | South East |
| Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme | Imo | South East |
| Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani | Bauchi | North East |
| Hon. Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein | Bayelsa | South South |
| Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya | Ebonyi | South East |
| Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah | Kogi | North Central |
| Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru | Lagos | South West |
| Hon. Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur | Katsina | North West |
| Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar | Kebbi | North West |
| Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris | Niger | North Central |
In a statement on Wednesday, Soji Oye, NJC’s director of information, said after deliberations at the council’s 104th meeting held on Wednesday, 11 out of the 22 on the list have been nominated. Other judicial offices were also recommended for appointment.
According to Soji Oye, the Supreme Court nominees will be sworn in upon approval by President Bola Tinubu and confirmation by the Senate.
The apex court is currently left with 10 justices after the death of Centus Nweze, and the retirements of Amina Augie and Dattijo Muhammad. The constitution allows the supreme court to have a maximum of 21 justices.
| Name | State | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Hon. Mr. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON CJN | Oyo | South-West |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Kudirat M Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun CFR | Lagos | South-West |
| Hon. Mr. Justice John Inyang Okoro | Akwa Ibom | South South |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji | Yobe | North East |
| Hon. Mr. Justice M. Lawal Garba | Zamfara | North West |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Helen M. Ogunwumiju | Ondo | South West |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa | Katsina | North West |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Adamu Jauro | Gombe | North East |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Tijjani Abubakar | Yobe | North East |
| Hon. Mr. Justice Emmanuel A. Agim | Cross River | South South |
On November 16, the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) compiled a list of 22 justices of the court of appeal for elevation to the supreme court and transmitted the same to the NJC.
It appears that campaigners were able to get the attention of leadership regarding recent appointments to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), as the new list contains many younger and more junior justices instead of older, high-ranking members that would typically be in line for promotion based on succession by seniority.
By elevating more junior justices now, they are being positioned to later take over leadership positions like CJN in the future once the current senior justices retire. This is an apparent departure from the tradition of succession by seniority.
FUTURE CJNS
| Name | State (Zone) | Expected Tenure Period |
|---|---|---|
| Kudirat Kekere-Ekun | Lagos (South-West) | August 23, 2024 to May 7, 2028 (3 years, 9 months) |
| Inyang Okoro | Akwa Ibom (South-South) | May 8, 2028 to July 11, 2029 (1 year, 2 months) |
| Tijani Abubakar | Yobe (North-East) | July 12, 2029 to April 15, 2030 (9 months) |
| Emma Agim | Cross River (South-South) | April 16, 2030 to April 26, 2030 (10 days) |
| (Ex-CJN, The Gambia and Swaziland) | ||
| Moore Adumein | Bayelsa (South-South) | April 27, 2030 to May 6, 2034 (4 years, 9 days) |
| Obande Ogbuinya | Ebonyi (South-East) | May 7, 2034 to June 16, 2035 (1 year, 1 month) |
| Mohammed Baba Idris | Niger (North-Central) | June 17, 2035 to October 25, 2040 (5 years, 4 months) |