NJC Makes U-Turn, Nominates Suspended Judge For Supreme Court Appointment

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the recommendation of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, for elevation to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe. According to the statement, the recommendation was made at the Council’s 110th meeting held on January 13, 2026, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

Justice Oyewole, an indigene of Ila-Orangun in Osun State, was born on May 13, 1965. His appointment is to fill the South-West vacancy on the Supreme Court bench created by the retirement of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Beyond the Supreme Court nomination, the NJC also recommended the appointment of 27 new High Court judges across several states. Borno and Plateau States are to receive six judges each, Ekiti will have five, Niger and Delta four each, while Benue and Taraba will get one judge each.

The Council further approved the appointment of six Kadis to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger and Taraba States, as well as two judges to the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.

In another decision, the NJC endorsed a three-month extension of the tenure of Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State. The Council urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently commence the process of establishing the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to enable the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge, stressing the importance of judicial stability and independence.

The NJC also exonerated the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, from allegations of financial misconduct, fund diversion and judicial impropriety, following a thorough investigation conducted by a three-member committee.

Similarly, the Council dismissed a petition against Justice Gentu E. Timi of the Delta State High Court over alleged misconduct in a chieftaincy matter.

In a major reversal, the NJC lifted the one-year suspension without pay earlier imposed on Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division.

Overall, the Council reviewed 39 petitions during the meeting. Twenty-six were dismissed for lacking merit, seven were referred for further investigation, and two judicial officers were cautioned. One of the cautioned judges was reprimanded for failing to deliver judgment within the constitutionally mandated 90 days and for using inappropriate language in responding to a petition.

The NJC reiterated its warning against the excessive use of ex parte orders and advised Heads of Court to be cautious when assigning complex cases to newly appointed judges.

A special committee was also set up to review requests submitted by nine dismissed judges from the Imo State Judiciary.

However, the Council declined to consider a new petition against Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice I. O. Agugua, noting that the issues raised had already been addressed previously.