Senate Okays 11 Justices for Supreme Court, Completing Its Bench

The Senate, on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of 11 Justices to the Supreme Court following a rigorous screening by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC – Borno North).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated the Justices based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, filling vacancies created by retirements and resignations.

The confirmed Supreme Court Justices include Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast), who previously chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-Central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-East), and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-East).

Other appointed Justices are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest), and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).

This elevation brings the total number of justices on the Supreme Court bench to 21, fulfilling the constitutional quota as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (As Amended). The completion of the Supreme Court bench to its full strength of 21 justices is a historical first in the court’s records.

President Tinubu, in a communication to the Senate, transmitted the list of nominees for confirmation after the National Judicial Council cleared them for appointment on December 6, 2023.

During the session, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, unveiled the recommendations by President Tinubu, which also included appointments for one Justice of the Court of Appeal, six Heads of Courts, and 26 other judicial officers.

Details later