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“Big Moves In Judiciary!” – NJC Promotes 12 Judges, Suspends Two In Major Decision.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Reports indicate that the decision was reached at the Council’s 111th meeting held on May 13, 2026, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement released on Thursday by the NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the Council explained that the recommendations were made to fill existing vacancies caused by retirements and elevations within the judiciary.
Those recommended for elevation include Justices Abdulhammeed Mohammed Yakubu, Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, Raphael Ajuwa, Elias Ojie Abua, Mbalamen Jennifer Ijohor, Sabiu Bala Shuaibu, James Kolawole Omotosho, Emeka Nwite, Dauda Njane Buba, Sanusi Kado, Ademola Enikuomehin, and Julcit Veronica Dadom.
The NJC also recommended Christine T. Clement Ende for appointment as a Judge of the Benue State High Court, while Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura were recommended as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Katsina State.
In addition, the Council approved a new policy clarifying that retired public servants are not constitutionally barred from being appointed to the Bench.
Citing judicial precedent, particularly the case of Ayoola v. Baruwa, the NJC stated that there is no constitutional restriction preventing qualified retired legal practitioners from judicial appointment.
However, it stipulated that such candidates must have at least 10 years remaining before reaching the mandatory retirement age and must fully disclose their employment history, financial status, criminal record (if any), and reasons for leaving previous jobs.
The Council also extended the tenure of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for an additional three months, from March 26 to June 26, 2026, to allow time for the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
It further commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to take an improper oath outside established constitutional procedures.
On disciplinary matters, the NJC upheld the compulsory retirement of eight Imo State judges over allegations of age falsification, rejecting their appeals.
However, it reinstated Justice T.I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal after fresh evidence was reviewed and found to be credible.
The Council also suspended Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court for one year without pay over misconduct relating to the improper granting of an ex parte order, citing breaches of judicial conduct rules.
Similarly, Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the FCT High Court was also suspended for one year without pay for violating fair hearing principles in a matrimonial case.
The NJC said it considered multiple investigation reports on petitions against judges, dismissing several due to lack of merit, poor prosecution, or statutory limitations.
It also reviewed numerous complaints, cautioning some judges, issuing warnings, and directing further investigations in select cases, while referring some petitioners and lawyers for disciplinary action over frivolous allegations.
In its commendation segment, the Council praised nine judges for outstanding performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years, issuing formal recognition to those who delivered a high number of judgments within the period.
The NJC also approved retirement notices for some judicial officers and expressed condolences over the deaths of three judges between December 2025 and April 2026.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has urged voters across the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Uzodinma warned that ongoing development projects in the region could be discontinued if Tinubu fails to secure a second term in office.
He made the appeal on Monday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The governor encouraged residents of the South-East to participate actively in the forthcoming election by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voting for Tinubu.
He stressed that their participation would play a significant role in determining the country’s political direction.
Uzodinma also referenced an address delivered by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, during the rally, in which he presented a charter of needs outlining the expectations of the South-East and Nigerians generally.
According to the Imo governor, the demands and expectations highlighted by Nwifuru should guide the people’s decisions as they prepare for the 2027 presidential election.
He said, “I saw the governor of Ebonyi State in his address. He read what is called the Charter of Needs for the people, for South-East people, and indeed for Nigeria.
“Our responsibility will start from now to go and look for our PVC. That is the weapon, because if President Tinubu is not re-elected, all these ongoing projects will stop. So we have to sharpen our weapon, and our weapon is our voter card.”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Tanzania have encountered disruptions in their preparations for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Uyo following reported changes to their flight schedules.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle arrived in Uyo in the early hours of Monday and was later joined by one of his assistants, Daniel Ogunmodede. However, the team was yet to commence full training as the invited players had not arrived at the camp.
Sources in Uyo told Punch that no Super Eagles player had arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport as of Monday evening, despite team officials waiting at the airport throughout the day.
One of the sources said: “We were at the airport from morning until evening on Monday, and none of the players arrived. When the last flight of the day landed, we checked the manifest, but no player was on board.”
Tanzania also experienced a delay in its travel arrangements. The Taifa Stars, who were initially expected to arrive in Uyo on Monday, were rescheduled to land on Tuesday following changes to their flight schedule.
The East African side have endured a difficult start to their Group L campaign, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau before settling for a 1-1 draw against Madagascar.
However, Tanzania have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. This leaves only one available qualification spot in Group L.
Guinea-Bissau currently top the group, while Nigeria sit in second position with three points from two matches.
The Super Eagles began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo but suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.
Chelle will be hoping to assemble his squad as quickly as possible ahead of the double-header, with Nigeria needing maximum points to improve their chances of securing the group’s remaining qualification ticket.
The coach announced a 24-man squad on Saturday but will be without striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the encounter due to injury. The Galatasaray forward also missed Nigeria’s previous two qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in September.
Other players invited include goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo; defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Frederick; midfielders Tochukwu Nnadi and Samson Tijani; and forwards Moses Usor and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Turkey-based defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and Czechia-based wing-back Abdullahi Bewene are also part of the squad.
The campaign spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Kenneth Okonkwo, has expressed confidence that his principal will appear on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Okonkwo accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of making efforts to prevent Atiku from contesting the election, insisting that the party’s alleged attempts would ultimately fail.
He drew a comparison with the 2007 presidential election, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly made efforts to stop Atiku, who was then his vice president, from contesting the presidency.
Naija News reports that the actor-turned-politician maintained that the APC would suffer the same outcome as Obasanjo, who failed to prevent Atiku from participating in the 2007 election.
Okonkwo also predicted that Atiku would emerge as Nigeria’s next president.
In a post shared on X, he said the APC’s alleged attempts to frustrate Atiku’s ambition had strengthened his belief in the ADC candidate’s chances.
He wrote:
“The more the incompetent and corrupt APC tackles ADC, and the more they try to block Atiku Abubakar from contesting for the post of President in 2027, the more I am convinced that Atiku Abubakar is the next President of Nigeria because you do not cast a stone at a tree that is not bearing any fruit.
“APC should learn from history, and understand that Atiku is unstoppable. President Olusegun Obasanjo did everything possible, with all the powers of the security apparatus, to stop Atiku, his Vice President, from contesting the 2007 presidential election, but failed.
“Atiku succeeded through the rule of law by ventilating his agitation through the courts. This time around in 2027, Atiku will win again because God and the people of Nigeria are on his side.
“Let me reiterate, Atiku and ADC will be on the ballot in 2027 and will win the 2027 presidential election for the security and welfare of Nigerians.
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