By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The marginalization of the South East by the Federal Government of Nigeria has continued as the Muhammadu Buhari-led government ignored the region in the latest appointment of the judges of the Supreme Court.
The eight new judges, whose appointments were confirmed by Nigerian Senate on Tuesday October 13, 2020, at its plenary session after a satisfactory report by its Committee include: Justice M. Lawal Garba from Northwest, Justice Helen M. Ogunwunmiju from Southwest, Justice Abdu Aboki from Northwest; and Justice L. M. M. Saulawa, Justice Adamu Jarre from Northeast, Justice Samuel C. Oseji from South-South.
Others are Justice Tijjani Abubakar from Northeast and
Justice Emmanuel A. Agim from South-South.
None of the newly confirmed justices is from the South East.
The report was presented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
While contributing during the debate on the report, Senator James Ebiowo Manager expressed satisfaction for a thorough report.
“From all indications, the Committee has done a very good work and as you all know, appointment of Justices of the Court of Appeal is a process and particularly that the relevant sections of the law were cited.
“I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing the 8 Justices at a single stretch.
“I also want to commend the Committee for doing a thorough job having known the complexities involved.”
Also contributing on the report before lending support for confirmation, Senate Deputy President, Ovie Omo-Agege explained that there was no petition from the members of the public to the Committee against any of the nominees, expressing that the situation made them honorable for confirmation.
“I applaud the Justices nominees because there was no petition sent to the Committee opposing their nomination as a result of electoral matters while at the Court of Appeal seat.
One of the members of the Committee Senator Gabriel Suswam confirmed to the Senate that the nominees were thoroughly screened, stressing that they should be confirmed without hesitation.
“As a member of the Committee, I rise to support the report that they should be confirmed.
“Mr. President, we screened them and I want to say that these are men of honour and I ask that this Senate do approve their nomination without any hesitation. ”
After the confirmation of the justices by the Committee of the whole, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan urged the Federal Government to make funds available to the judiciary to enable them discharge their duties expeditiously. The confirmed justices were recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as provided in the Constitution.
