NJC Recommends Justice Oyewole for Supreme Court, Approves 35 Judicial Appointments

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, alongside 35 other candidates for various judicial positions nationwide.

The decisions were reached at the Council’s 110th meeting held on Tuesday and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.

Justice Oyewole, who is currently the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, was the only nominee recommended for elevation to the apex court.

In addition, the NJC approved the appointment of 27 judges to State High Courts across seven states, Borno, Niger, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Delta and Ekiti, in a move aimed at strengthening judicial capacity and improving access to justice.

The Council also recommended six Kadis for appointment to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger, Taraba and Katsina states, as well as two judges for the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.

According to the NJC, the recommendations followed a rigorous screening process that included the consideration of public complaints and interviews conducted in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines.

Beyond appointments, the Council extended the tenure of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, by three months. It urged the Imo State Governor to urgently constitute the State Judicial Service Commission to enable the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge, warning that further delays could threaten judicial stability and independence in the state.

In a major development, the NJC cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of allegations bordering on financial recklessness, diversion of funds and judicial misconduct. The Council upheld the findings of its investigation committee, which found no evidence to support the claims and consequently dismissed all petitions against him.

Similarly, a petition against a Delta State High Court judge, Hon. Justice Gentu E. Timi, arising from a chieftaincy dispute, was dismissed after the complainant formally withdrew the case following the resolution of the dispute.

In another reversal, the Council set aside the one-year suspension without pay earlier imposed on Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division. The NJC ruled that the petition against her was filed outside the stipulated six-month period and concerned a matter that was already under appeal at the time.

Overall, the NJC considered 39 petitions against judicial officers, dismissing 26 for lack of merit, ordering further investigation into seven, and issuing cautions to two judges.

The Council also reiterated its warning against the indiscriminate granting of ex parte orders and advised Heads of Court to exercise caution when assigning complex cases to newly appointed judges.

In addition, the NJC constituted a committee to examine a request for review submitted by nine dismissed judges of the Imo State Judiciary, while declining to entertain a fresh petition against the state’s Acting Chief Judge on the grounds that the issues had already been exhaustively addressed.

On the administrative front, the Council approved the voluntary retirement of two senior judicial officers, including the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division, Hon. Justice Obientobara Owupele Daniel-Kalio. It also announced, with regret, the death of two judicial officers between November and December 2025, extending its condolences to their families and the legal community.