The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the nomination of Eleven Justices nominated and forwarded by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly, as Judges of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The confirmation followed the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters presented by the Chairman,Mohammed Monguno.
In his submission, Binos Yaroe (PDP Adamawa) noted that the intent of the constitution does not limit the appointment of Supreme Court Justices to the Court of Appeal.
He added that all the nominees recommended are from the Court of Appeal, arguing that they are other scholars and law practitioners that are also eminently qualified for the appointments.
Former President of the Senate and the Senator representing Yobe North, Senator Ahmed Lawal called on the Executive and the Legislative arms of government to review upwards the funds appropriated for the Judiciary.
He added that more funds will help the Judiciary arm of government work effectively and efficiently in justice delivery.
Senator Lawal stressed that the burden will be far less if judicial officers have more resources to work with, so that Nigerians can
hold them responsible and accountable.
Senator Mongono had earlier in his presentation pointed out that the Committee received documents and explanations on the exposure, integrity and competence on justice dispensation, of all the eleven nominees.
He added that the appointment of the nominees
satisfied relevant sections of the Constitution, and that non of them has criminal record, as checks on each of the nominees by security agencies did not reveal any negative report.
The Senate Committee chairman stressed that the nominees have the requisite knowledge to discharge their duties and that their appointments satisfied (sec) 231 of the constitution which stipulates 15 years mandatory experience for any nominee
Explaining further, Senator Mongono stressed that the appointments became necessary following the retirement of some justices of the Supreme Court as well as vacancies arising from the death of some judges of the apex court.
The lawmakers also commended President Tinubu for adherence to the orincipke of Federal Character in the appointments, appealing that more needs to be done to ensure speedy replacement of Justices when they are vacancies, to address the delay in justice delivery.
After deliberation, all the eleven nominees were confirmed as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Justices confirmed include;
Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, OFR
North Central
Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah
North Central
Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris
Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani
North East
Hon. Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur
North West
Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar
North West
Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa
South East
Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme
South East
Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya
South East
Hon. Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein
South South
Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru
South West
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
