FJSC Seeks Public Input on Nominees for Appointment
The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has released the longlist of 48 judges nominated for potential appointment to the Court of Appeal, following a transparent process aimed at strengthening the judiciary. From the list, only 12 nominees will be selected for the prestigious judicial appointments, which will fill vacant positions in the Court of Appeal across 12 states.
The FJSC, in a public notice published in the Saturday edition of This Day newspaper, invited the general public to submit their comments on the nominees. The exercise aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the judicial appointment process.
Nominees Overview:
The nominees come from diverse judicial backgrounds, including state High Courts, Federal High Court, Customary Courts of Appeal, and National Industrial Court. The list includes prominent names such as:
- James Omotosho (Federal High Court) – Known for his high-profile ruling on the Nnamdi Kanu case.
- Emeka Nwite (Federal High Court) – Currently handling significant cases, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s trial.
- Safiya Umar – A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and judge of the Katsina High Court, a rare applicant for judicial positions.
States with Nominees:
The states with vacant positions on the Court of Appeal bench are Benue, Plateau, Gombe, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ekiti, Ogun, and Ondo. Each state has contributed four nominees to the longlist.
Notable Nominees:
- Benue: Ibrahim Mohammed, Augustine Ityonyiman, Jennifer Ijohor, Dennis Igyuse.
- Katsina: Safiya Umar (SAN), Sanusi Kado, Adam Salihu Yarima, Ibrahim Abubakar Maude.
- Ekiti: Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, Jubril Aladejana, Lucas Ogundana, Olusegun Ogunyemi.
Public Feedback Process:
The FJSC has emphasized the importance of public engagement and transparency in this selection process. Citizens are encouraged to submit written comments based on the integrity, reputation, and suitability of the candidates for the judicial appointment.
All complaints or comments must be submitted within 14 days from the publication date and must be accompanied by a sworn affidavit. Submissions can be made to the FJSC Secretariat at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja or via email at thefjscsecretariat@gmail.com.
Next Steps:
After the FJSC’s review, the list will be narrowed down to 24 nominees, who will undergo further scrutiny by the National Judicial Council (NJC). This process will include interviews, after which the final list of 12 judges will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for approval and appointment.
The Importance of Transparency:
This process marks a significant step in the NJC‘s ongoing effort to ensure public accountability in judicial appointments. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, introduced the initiative of publishing names of judicial nominees, signaling a new era of transparency in the Nigerian judiciary.
The public’s participation in this process is vital in ensuring the appointment of judges who uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and impartiality.
