• Extends appointment of Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Imo State Acting CJ
•Suspends two judges for one year without pay
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The National Judicial Council (NJC), has recommended the appointment of Justice James Omotosho, Justice Emeka Nwite and 10 others as Justices of the Court of Appeal.
The council took the decision at its 111th Meeting held on May 13, 2026, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The others are; Justice Yakubu, Abdulhammeed Mohammed; Justice Abodunde, Monisola Oluwatoyin; Justice Ajuwa, Raphael; Justice Abua, Elias Ojie; Justice Ijohor, Mbalamen Jennifer; Justice Shuaibu, Sabiu Bala; Justice Buba, Dauda Njane; Justice Kado, Sanusi; Justice Ademola, Enikuomehin; and Justice Dadom, Julcit Veronica.
Meanwhile, the NJC also recommended one candidate for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Benue State and two candidates for appointment as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
According to a statement by NJC’s Deputy Director, Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, “These recommendations are intended to fill vacancies arising from the elevation and retirement of Judicial Officers across various levels of the Judiciary and to strengthen the capacity of courts for effective justice delivery”.
The NJC stated that all recommendations followed a rigorous selection process involving public scrutiny, evaluation of complaints received from stakeholders, and interviews conducted by a nine-member Interview Committee, in accordance with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial.
Meanwhile the NJC extended the acting appointment of Justice ljeoma O. Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for a further period of three (3) months with effect from March 26, 2026 — 26 June 2026 to allow for completion of the process for appointing a substantive Chief Judge.
This is just as the council commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in contrary to established constitutional procedure, describing the action as a demonstration of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.
“The Council reiterated its call on the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to expedite the process of appointment of a substantive Chief Judge in order to ensure stability, safeguard judicial independence, and enhance the effective administration of justice in the State”, the statement read in part.
It however disclosed that the Council rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary seeking a reversal of their compulsory retirement from service over age falsification.
The rejection according to the statement was based on the fact that the affected Judges failed to present fresh evidence capable of justifying a reversal of the sanctions imposed on them.
While disclosing that the Council considered 13 investigation reports on petitions filed against Judicial Officers across the country over the handling of cases before them, the statement noted that eight of the petitions were dismissed for lack of merit, want of diligent prosecution or for being time barred, adding that “sanctions including one-year suspension without pay were imposed in 2 cases where misconduct was established.
“Specifically, the Council suspended Hon. Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the High Court of Nasarawa State for one year without pay for judicial misconduct involving the grant of an ex parte order in breach of Rules 3.1, 3.3 and 3.5 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
The suspension followed a petition by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma over proceedings in Suit No. NSD/MG56M/2025.
“Similarly, the Council suspended Hon. Justice Edward A. E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for one year without pay over allegations of breach of fair hearing in a matrimonial case”, the statement added.
