JUST IN: Senate approves appointment of 11 supreme court justices

The confirmation took place following the review and acceptance of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters during Thursday’s plenary session.

Tinubu had urged the Senate to approve the candidates, who had been endorsed by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions resulting from the demise and resignations of some justices.

The confirmed nominees include Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast), who previously chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-east), and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-east).

Others include Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest), and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).

Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno), the committee chairman, presented the panel’s report, affirming that the nominees possessed the necessary qualifications and experience for the positions, and there were no petitions against them. Consequently, he recommended their confirmation.

Following the confirmation of the 11 justices, the Supreme Court has now met the full statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.

Senators, who addressed the assembly prior to the confirmation, voiced apprehension about the prolonged process of appointing justices to the Supreme Court bench.

Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa) advocated for the establishment of a provision for the prompt replacement of justices in the event of future vacancies.

He said, “Anytime these vacancies occur, they should be filled immediately.

“I want to draw that to the attention of the President. There shouldn’t be a delay so that we don’t become a laughing stock.”

The Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti -Central), emphasized the significance of promptly screening and appointing individuals next in line as vacancies arise at the apex court.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia-North) underscored the need to reconsider the allocated funds for the Supreme Court in the 2024 budget to enhance its effectiveness.

He said, “The Senate should look at the budget of the judiciary because even the state courts are in a mess. How can they give good justice? This is not the way it was before; we were doing better.”