The National Judicial Council (NJC), has recommended Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The decision was taken by the NJC at its 110th Meeting held on 13 January 2026.
Hon. Justice Oyewole is currently the presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division.
Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Deputy Director, Information, confirmed this in a statement obtained by Vital News on Wednesday.
She said the meeting was presided over by, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
According to her, NJC also approved the recommendation of 35 other candidates for various judicial offices across the country.
The Council similarly approved 27 candidates for appointment as Judges of various High Courts.
They are as follows: Borno (6), Niger (4), Benue (1), Taraba (1), Plateau (6), Delta (4), and Ekiti (5) States.
Furthermore, the Council recommended six Kadis for appointment to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger (3), Taraba (2), and Katsina (1) States; and two (2) Judges for appointment to the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.
These recommendations followed a rigorous screening process, including the consideration of public complaints and interviews conducted by a seven-member Interview Committee, in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers.
List of Recommended Candidates
SUPREME COURT
Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole
SIX HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR BORNO STATE
Mustapha, Mallam Babagana
Mustapha, Hadiza Grema
James, Peter Bwala
Zannah, Tijjani Babakura
Alkali, Alhaji Umar
Dunoma, Yahaya Alhaji
SIX HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR PLATEAU STATE
Maikai, Andrawus
Kparbong, Tongret Nanman
Nkwap, Diane Ngummai
Mantu, John Ishaku
Bature, Gavou Musa
Mallan, Kingsley Mangai
FIVE HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR EKITI STATE
Adegoke, Olanike Caroline
Bamise, Julius Sunday Bamidele
Ajibare, Julius
Akinyede, Stephen Rotimi
Anoma, Adefunke Helen
FOUR HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR NIGER STATE
Abubakar, Adamu
Ahmed, Bala Ndajiwo
Gambo, Sa’adatu Abubakar
Wushishi, Sulaiman Buhari
FOUR HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR DELTA STATE
Otite, Jonah Akporuaro
Sam-Oligida, Jereoma
Ukuli, Boeye Irene
Adamidenyo, Otome Benjamin
ONE HIGH COURT JUDGE FOR TARABA STATE
Babagari, Mansura Mohammed
THREE KADIS FOR SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, NIGER STATE
Aboki, Usman Abdulrahman
Mohammed, Ya’aba
Muhammad, Nasir Ibrahim
TWO KADIS FOR SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, TARABA STATE
Yakubu, Muhammad
Aliyu, Yahaya Abubakar
ONE KADI FOR SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KATSINA STATE
Mutawakkil, Mustapha Salis
TWO JUDGES FOR CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, DELTA STATE
Ojeikere, Bridget Onome
Okah, Stella Ovuorieroro
At the meeting, the NJC recommended extension of the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua by three (3) months just as it called on the Governor of Imo State to immediately commence the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission, to enable the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge of Imo State.
“The NJC stressed the imperative of prompt appointment of the substantive Chief Judge to ensure stability, safeguard judicial independence, and promote the effective administration of justice in the State, ” the statement said.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
