By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
President Mohammadu Buhari has approved the elevation of Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court of Nigeria, Lagos Judicial Division as an Appeal Court judge.
Other judges elevated along with Justice Idris as judges of Court of Appeal are Justices P.A. Mahmud, F.O. Ojo, I.A. Andenyangsto, G.O. Kolawale, and B.B. Aliyu.
Others are Ebiowei Tobi, J.G. Abundaga, A.S. Umar, A.M. Talba, A.M. Bayer and A.M. Lamido.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information for the National Judicial Council (NJC) Soji Oye, President Buhari gave the approval based on recommendation of NJC for the elevation of the judicial officers.
Furthermore, Buhari approved the appointment of nine judges for the Federal High Court and seven for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as recommended by NJC.
The newly approved judges for the Federal High Court of Nigeria are Bassey Onu, Mrs Adekemi Demi-Ajayi, Peter Lifu, Obiora Egwuata, Mrs Sa’adatu Ibrahim-Mark, Mobolaji Olajuwon, Aminu Aliyu, Tijani Ringim and Nkeonye Maha. The seven judges approved for the FCT court are: Binta Mohammed, Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, Gaba Venchak Simon, Babangida Hassan, Akobi Anna, Samirah Bature and Asmau Yusuf.
According to Oye, the judicial officers elevated to rank of Judges of the Court of Appeal would be sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, on June 22 while their counterparts at the Federal High Court would be inaugurated on June 25.
“The CJN would complete the exercise by swearing-in the approved judges for FCT court on June 26.
“Swearing-in ceremonies would all be conducted at the Main Hall of the Court Room of the Supreme Court at 2pm prompt on the allotted dates.” the NJC spokesman added.
