In a move that has sparked protests from civil society organizations, Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette, wife of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal by the National Judicial Council (NJC). This decision, made on Friday, has stirred significant controversy.
Additionally, Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria, the daughter-in-law of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola, has been nominated for appointment as a Judge of the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory. This nomination was made during a meeting presided over by her father-in-law, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is set to retire from the judiciary in August this year.
The NJC, in its meeting, decided to bar two judges, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court, from elevation to the Court of Appeal for periods of two and three years, respectively. Justice Ekwo was reprimanded for the misuse of discretionary power by improperly granting an ex-parte order in Suit No FHC/ABJ/C/626/2023 (Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 others Vs Seplat Energy Plc & 12 others). Justice Brikins-Okolosi received a warning for failing to deliver judgment within the stipulated period in the case of Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, Suit No A/94/2010.
Furthermore, the NJC issued a caution to Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court for issuing a Writ of Possession in Suit No YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020 without a subsisting court judgment to support it.
At the meeting, the NJC reviewed two reports from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, which filtered 35 petitions against judges of the Federal and State High Courts. The Council established eight committees to investigate petitions deemed meritorious and dismissed several others for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, or subjudice.
Among the dismissed petitions were those against Justices A. M. Liman, A. A. Okeke, D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, and others from various high courts across Nigeria. Additionally, the NJC acknowledged the retirement notifications of three judicial officers, including Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and noted the deaths of three judges from the Federal and State Courts.
In terms of appointments, the NJC recommended 86 judicial officers for various positions, including the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal across Nigeria. Notably, 22 high court judges have been recommended for the Court of Appeal, and 12 individuals have been nominated for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, including Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria and Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike.
The NJC also made several nominations for state high courts, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal. All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in following the approval of the NJC’s recommendations by the President and their respective state governors.
