NJC recommends 35 new judges, Oyewole for S'court
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 offices across the country.
The decisions were taken 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.
Justice Oyewole, who currently serves as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, was the sole nominee recommended for elevation to the apex court.
High Court, Sharia and Customary Court Appointments
As part of its resolutions, the NJC approved the appointment of 27 judges to State High Courts across seven states: Borno (six), Plateau (six), Ekiti (five), Niger (four), Delta (four), Taraba (one), and Benue (one).
The Council also recommended six Kadis for appointment to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger (three), Taraba (two) and Katsina (one) states, as well as two judges for appointment to the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.
According to the NJC, the 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.
Imo Acting Chief Judge’s Tenure Extended
The Council approved a three-month extension of the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua. It also urged the Imo State Governor to immediately commence the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission to enable the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
The NJC stressed that the prompt appointment of a substantive Chief Judge is critical to ensuring stability, safeguarding judicial independence, and promoting effective administration of justice in the state.
Osun Chief Judge Cleared of Misconduct
In a major disciplinary 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.
The decision followed the consideration of a report by a three-member Investigation Committee set up to probe multiple petitions against the Chief Judge.
The petitions were filed by a staff member of the Osun State Customary Court of Appeal and JUSUN chairman, Mr. Eludire G. Kunle, alongside three others, as well as 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 and four purported members of the State Judicial Service Commission.
The petitioners alleged, among others, unilateral suspension of judiciary staff, selective promotions, stoppage of training programmes, disobedience of court orders and misappropriation of funds, including alleged diversion of ₦7.4 million for a judges’ retreat, ₦5 million robe allowance and proceeds from e-affidavits.
After extensive hearings in which all parties were represented by counsel, the Committee found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. It held that staff suspensions followed due process, matters of promotion and training fell within the statutory responsibilities of the State Judicial Service Commission, and that there was no proof of diversion or personal benefit by the Chief Judge.
The Committee concluded that none of the allegations amounted to judicial misconduct or a breach of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, and recommended the dismissal of all the petitions—a recommendation the Council accepted in full.
Petition Against Delta Judge Dismissed
The NJC 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 petition, filed by Prince Mbanefo Nwoko (KSC), was withdrawn by the petitioner before the Investigation Committee commenced sitting, following the resolution of the dispute and the presentation of the staff of office by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori. The Council consequently ordered the discontinuation of the matter.
Suspension of Court of Appeal Justice Reversed
In another significant decision, the Council 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 in relation to ex parte orders granted while he was a judge of the Federal High Court. However, upon review, the NJC found that the decision forming the basis of the petition was already on appeal at the time the petition was filed and that the complaint was lodged outside the six-month period prescribed by Council policy. The suspension was accordingly set aside.
Petitions, Warnings and New Committee
Out of 39 petitions reviewed by the NJC’s Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, 26 were dismissed for lack of merit, seven were recommended for further investigation, and two judicial officers were cautioned. One of the cautions related to the delivery of judgment outside the constitutionally prescribed 90 days and the use of inappropriate language in responding to a petition.
The Council reiterated its warning 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 examine 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 on issues previously determined.
Retirement and Deaths
The NJC approved the voluntary retirement of Umar Ibrahim Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State, and Hon. Justice Obientobara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division. The Council noted with regret that Alhaji 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 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 the families of the deceased, the Judiciary and the Nigerian legal community, and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.
