FULL LIST: NJC releases names of 80 candidates for judicial appointments, including 2 CJ nominees
By Jeffrey Agbo
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has introduced a policy aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the appointment of judicial officers to Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.
A statement released on Monday said the policy, approved during the council’s 108th Meeting held on April 29-30, 2025, has resulted in the publication of 80 shortlisted candidates for various judicial positions across multiple states.
The NJC announced that all judicial appointment memoranda—previously received from various Judicial Service Commissions and pending before the Council—will now be published at the initial stage as part of comprehensive reforms in the judicial appointment process.
The list includes two candidates for the position of Chief Judge in Ekiti State and 78 other nominees for positions as Judges of High Courts (53), Kadis of Sharia Courts of Appeal (20), and Judges of Customary Courts of Appeal (7) across nine states including Cross River, Delta, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Ogun, Plateau, Zamfara, and Ebonyi.
In line with the new transparency initiative, the NJC has invited public participation in the vetting process, requesting written comments on the candidates’ integrity, reputation, and suitability for judicial appointment within 14 days.
“Each complaint or comment must be specific and supported with sufficient particulars,” the statement noted, adding that submissions must be accompanied by a verifying affidavit deposed to before a Superior Court of Nigeria or any Notary Public.
The council warned against false and unsubstantiated complaints, emphasizing that “there will be consequences” for such actions.
Written submissions can be sent to the Office of the Secretary of the NJC at the Supreme Court Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, or via email to info@njc.gov.ng.
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FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
APPOINTMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS TO SUPERIOR COURTS OF RECORD CALL FOR COMMENTS
As part of ongoing efforts toward comprehensive reforms in the judicial appointment process, the National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 108th Meeting held on 29th and 30th April 2025, approved a groundbreaking policy aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the appointment of Judicial Officers to Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.
Under the newly adopted policy, all memoranda on judicial appointments—previously received from various Judicial Service Commissions and pending before the Council—shall now be published at the initial stage.
List of Shortlisted Candidates
I. For Appointment as Chief Judge
| S/N | Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye | Ekiti |
| 2 | Hon. Justice Ogunyemi Olusegun Isaac | Ekiti |
II. For Appointment as Judges of the High Courts, Kadis of the Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Judges of the Customary Courts of Appeal
HIGH COURT JUDGES (Total: 53)
Glory Bassey Edu – High Court, Cross River
Melody Bassey Irem – High Court, Cross River
Ukuli Irene Boeye – High Court, Delta
Otite Jonah Akporuaro – High Court, Delta
Adamidenyo Otome Benjamin – High Court, Delta
Sam-Oligida Jereoma – High Court, Delta
Ogbimi Samuel Okpighe – High Court, Delta
Etanabene Gloria Oghoteru – High Court, Delta
Nafisa Yusuf Hassan – High Court, Kano
Halima Yahuza Ahmad – High Court, Kano
Musa Ibrahim Umar – High Court, Kano
Abdulkadir Mustapha – High Court, Kano
Amina Bashir Albasu – High Court, Kano
Abdullahi A. Bature – High Court, Kano
Fadila Muhammad Dikko – High Court, Katsina
Abdulrahman Yammama Shamsuddeen – High Court, Katsina
Amina Ibrahim Danmusa – High Court, Katsina
Maryam Umaru Abdullahi – High Court, Katsina
Mustapha Hassan Ruma – High Court, Katsina
Basira Umar Faruk – High Court, Katsina
Abdur-Rahman Umar – High Court, Katsina
Abubakar Mohammed Dikko – High Court, Katsina
Ahmed Ndajiwo – High Court, Niger
Sa’adatu Gambo – High Court, Niger
Adamu Abubakar – High Court, Niger
Suleiman B. Wushishi – High Court, Niger
Isah Adamu Evuti – High Court, Niger
Abdullahi Alkali – High Court, Niger
Murtala M. B. Ibrahim – High Court, Niger
Hauwa Kulu Isah – High Court, Niger
Adebayo Julius Ojikutu – High Court, Ogun
Adejumoke Oluwatoyin Adewole – High Court, Ogun
Oluyemisi Olukemi Adebo – High Court, Ogun
Fatimat Adeola Daudu – High Court, Ogun
Oludotun Olaniyi Osho – High Court, Ogun
Olakunlehin Luqman Oke – High Court, Ogun
Andrawus Maikai – High Court, Plateau
Tongret N. Kparbong – High Court, Plateau
Kingsley Mangai Mallan – High Court, Plateau
Diane Ngummal Nkwap – High Court, Plateau
John Ishaku Mantu – High Court, Plateau
Gavou Bature Musa – High Court, Plateau
Tapmwa Gotep – High Court, Plateau
Eric Rinmial Naron – High Court, Plateau
Pekes Habila Ezekiel – High Court, Plateau
Dajan Manasseh Dakogol – High Court, Plateau
Lyop Plyo – High Court, Plateau
Zakka Dung – High Court, Plateau
Sirajo Garba Aliyu – High Court, Zamfara
Rabi Bashir – High Court, Zamfara
Nasiru Abdullahi – High Court, Zamfara
Aishatu Jibrin – High Court, Zamfara
Rukubatu Aliyu Kanoma – High Court, Zamfara
Abubakar Aliyu Salisu – High Court, Zamfara
CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES (Total: 6)
Ojeikere Bridget Onome – Customary Court of Appeal, Delta
Okah Stella Ovuorieroro – Customary Court of Appeal, Delta
Okeri Efe – Customary Court of Appeal, Delta
Tomoloju Ojigho Dorcas – Customary Court of Appeal, Delta
Ogodo Lynda Nneka – Customary Court of Appeal, Ebonyi
Amaka Dickson Edmund – Customary Court of Appeal, Ebonyi
SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES – KATSINA (Total: 6)
Mutawakkil Mustapha Salis – Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina
Isah Usman Ibrahim – Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina
Uzairu Muhammad Dauda – Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina
Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu – Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina
Musa Sani Mara – Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina
Bala Salisu – Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina
SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES – NIGER (Total: 6)
Jibrin Alhaji Usman – Sharia Court of Appeal, Niger
Hassan Ibn Muhammad – Sharia Court of Appeal, Niger
Suleiman Ibrahim Muhammad – Sharia Court of Appeal, Niger
Usman Abdulrahman Aboki – Sharia Court of Appeal, Niger
Ya’aba Mohammed – Sharia Court of Appeal, Niger
Muhammad Nasir Ibrahim – Sharia Court of Appeal, Niger
SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES – PLATEAU (Total: 2)
Badamasi Adam Kabir – Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau
Lawal Suleiman – Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau
SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES – ZAMFARA (Total: 6)
Jibril Ibrahim – Sharia Court of Appeal, Zamfara
Sanusi Muhammad Magami – Sharia Court of Appeal, Zamfara
Sha’aban Mansur – Sharia Court of Appeal, Zamfara
Sharif Ibrahim Jangebe – Sharia Court of Appeal, Zamfara
Abdullahi Usman – Sharia Court of Appeal, Zamfara
Aliyu Muhammad Madacci – Sharia Court of Appeal, Zamfara
Total Number of Candidates: 80
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