The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The recommendation was made at the Council’s 110th Meeting held on January 13, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON. In all, the Council approved and recommended 36 candidates for various judicial offices across the federation.
The details of the meeting contained in a statement signed by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq., Deputy Director, Information, National Judicial Councilaldo announced Federal and State judicial appointments
According to the NJC, the recommendations followed a rigorous screening process, which included the consideration of public complaints and interviews conducted by a seven-member Interview Committee, in strict compliance with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers.
Beyond the Supreme Court nomination, the Council approved 27 candidates for appointment as Judges of various State High Courts. The breakdown shows that Borno State will receive six new High Court Judges; Plateau State, six; Ekiti State, five; Niger State, four; Delta State, four; Taraba State, one; and Benue State, one.
The six nominees for the Borno State High Court are Mallam Babagana Mustapha, Hadiza Grema Mustapha, Peter Bwala James, Tijjani Babakura Zannah, Alhaji Umar Alkali, and Yahaya Alhaji Dunoma.
For Plateau State, the approved candidates are Andrawus Maikai, Tongret Nanman Kparbong, Diane Ngummai Nkwap, John Ishaku Mantu, Gavou Musa Bature, and Kingsley Mangai Mallan.
Ekiti State’s five nominees are Olanike Caroline Adegoke, Julius Sunday Bamidele Bamise, Julius Ajibare, Stephen Rotimi Akinyede, and Adefunke Helen Anoma.
Those recommended for Niger State are Adamu Abubakar, Bala Ndajiwo Ahmed, Sa’adatu Abubakar Gambo, and Sulaiman Buhari Wushishi.
Delta State’s nominees are Jonah Akporuaro Otite, Jereoma Sam-Oligida, Boeye Irene Ukuli, and Otome Benjamin Adamidenyo.
Taraba State has Mansura Mohammed Babagari as its sole nominee, while Franca Ngiher Yuwa was approved for the Benue State High Court.
Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal
The Council also recommended six Kadis for appointment to Sharia Courts of Appeal: three for Niger State—Usman Abdulrahman Aboki, Ya’aba Mohammed, and Nasir Ibrahim Muhammad; two for Taraba State—Muhammad Yakubu and Yahaya Abubakar Aliyu; and one for Katsina State—Mustapha Salis Mutawakkil.
In addition, two Judges—Bridget Onome Ojeikere and Stella Ovuorieroro Okah—were recommended for appointment to the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.
Imo State Judiciary
The NJC approved a three-month extension of the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua. However, the Council called on the Governor of Imo State to immediately commence the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission, a prerequisite for the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
The Council stressed that the prompt appointment of a substantive Chief Judge is essential to ensure stability, safeguard judicial independence, and promote the effective administration of justice in the state.
Osun Chief Judge Cleared of Allegations
In a major decision, the Council cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of all allegations of financial recklessness, diversion of funds, and judicial misconduct.
This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of a three-member Investigation Committee set up to probe several petitions against him. The petitions were filed by Mr. Eludire G. Kunle, a staff member of the Osun State Customary Court of Appeal and Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), along with three others. Additional petitions were submitted by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbediran; Mrs. Temitope Opeoluwa Fasina; and a joint petition by the Osun State Attorney-General, Hon. Oluwole Jimi Bada, and four purported members of the State Judicial Service Commission.
The petitioners accused the Chief Judge of, among other things, unilateral suspension of judiciary staff, selective promotion, stoppage of training programmes, disobedience of court orders, and misappropriation of funds, including alleged diversion of ₦7.4 million meant for judges’ and magistrates’ retreat, ₦5 million robe allowance, and proceeds from e-affidavits.
The Investigation Committee sat several times, with all parties represented by counsel and calling witnesses. It ruled that the petition filed by the Attorney-General and others on behalf of the State Judicial Service Commission was incompetent, as issues relating to the Commission’s membership were already before a court. However, it held that the remaining petitioners had the locus standi to institute their complaints.
On the substance of the allegations, the Committee found that the suspension of judiciary staff followed due process and did not amount to misconduct. It further held that staff training and promotion fall within the statutory responsibilities of the State Judicial Service Commission. The Committee also found no evidence that Justice Ojo diverted robe allowances, misappropriated retreat funds, withheld e-affidavit proceeds, or personally benefited from any of the transactions complained of.
Concluding that none of the allegations amounted to judicial misconduct or breached the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, the Committee recommended the dismissal of all petitions—a recommendation the Council accepted in full.
Delta State Petition Withdrawn
The Council also dismissed a petition against a Judge of the Delta State High Court, Hon. Justice Gentu E. Timi, arising from a chieftaincy dispute over the ancient stool of Idumuje-Ugboko. The petitioner, Prince Mbanefo Nwoko (KSC), had accused the Judge of misapplication of the law and abuse of court process.
However, before the Investigation Committee commenced sitting, the petitioner withdrew the petition on February 17, 2025, citing the resolution of the dispute following the presentation of a staff of office by the Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to his client. The Committee recommended, and the Council agreed, that there were no issues requiring further consideration.
Suspension of Appeal Court Justice Reversed
In another significant development, the NJC reversed the one-year suspension without pay earlier imposed on Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division.
Justice Inyang had been sanctioned for breaching Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, following findings that he abused his office by granting inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of a petrol station and other businesses belonging to Udeme Assets Limited at the interlocutory stage. The actions occurred while he was a Judge of the Federal High Court, Uyo Division, in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, before his elevation to the Court of Appeal.
Upon review, the Council found that the decision forming the basis of the petition was already under appeal at the time the petition was filed and that the complaint was instituted outside the six-month period allowed by NJC policy. On this basis, the suspension was set aside.
Other Disciplinary Matters
The Council considered the reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, which reviewed 39 petitions. Of these, 26 were dismissed for lacking merit, seven were recommended for further investigation, and two judicial officers were cautioned.
One of the cautioned officers was faulted for delivering judgment outside the constitutionally prescribed 90 days in breach of Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as for using uncouth language in responding to a petition.
The NJC reiterated its warning to judges against the indiscriminate grant of ex parte orders and advised Heads of Court to exercise caution in assigning complex matters to newly appointed judges.
It also constituted a committee to consider the request for review submitted by nine dismissed judges of the Imo State Judiciary, while declining to entertain a fresh petition against the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, on grounds that the same issues had been previously considered and resolved.
Retirement and Deaths
The Council approved the voluntary retirement of Umar Ibrahim Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State, and Justice Obientobara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division. The NJC, however, noted with regret that Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Abdullahi passed away shortly after submitting his notice of retirement.
The Council also announced the death of two judicial officers between November and December 2025: Hon. Justice Oluwayemisi Ikeolupo Adelaja, a Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Kubwa, Abuja; and Hon. Justice U. I. Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State.
The NJC extended its condolences to their families, the Judiciary, and the Nigerian legal community, praying for the peaceful repose of their souls.
