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“Big Moves In Judiciary!” – NJC Promotes 12 Judges, Suspends Two In Major Decision.

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2 months ago

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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.

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Setting The Record Straight: Nnamdi Kanu’s Wife Breaks Her Silence On Shocking Divorce Rumors!.

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July 10, 2026

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Uchechi Kanu, wife of the incarcerated Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has dismissed viral allegations that she has filed for divorce. Addressing the reports on her verified X handle, she reacted with irony, stating that she had only just “learned” about the purported divorce proceedings while her husband remains imprisoned. The rumors, which gained traction online, claimed that years of alleged infidelity, financial neglect, and interference from Nnamdi Kanu’s family had irreparably damaged the marriage. These reports further alleged a history of extramarital affairs by Kanu, including a past relationship with a woman named Chioma Amaryllis Ahaghotu prior to his 2015 arrest. Nnamdi Kanu is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre following a terrorism conviction linked to his Biafran agitation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Uchechi Kanu has publicly rubbished claims that she is divorcing her husband, IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is presently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre. In a sarcastic post on X, she questioned the reports of her filing for a divorce. The rumors had suggested that the marriage, which began in 2009, had collapsed due to financial issues, family interference, and claims of infidelity involving Kanu and another woman, Chioma Amaryllis Ahaghotu.

Option 3: Formal/Reflective

In response to widespread speculation regarding her marital status, Uchechi Kanu has refuted allegations that she initiated divorce proceedings against her husband, Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB leader, who is currently serving a life term for terrorism, was the subject of reports claiming that Uchechi had endured years of emotional strain, financial neglect, and alleged promiscuity. Specifically, those reports cited an alleged prior involvement between the IPOB leader and a woman named Chioma Amaryllis Ahaghotu as a contributing factor to the marital breakdown. Uchechi Kanu used her official X account to characterize these reports as false, humorously noting that the news of her own divorce was something she was only just learning about.

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Who Really Controls Security? Gov. Makinde Reveals The Secret Limitations Of State Governors..

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5 hours ago

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July 10, 2026

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Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has argued that Nigerian governors lack the constitutional authority to issue operational commands to security agencies, despite being officially labeled the chief security officers of their states. Speaking after a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Makinde explained that he cannot directly instruct the state’s Commissioner of Police, the DSS, or military commanders without clearance from their respective national headquarters. He contended that this disconnect between responsibility and authority is a primary reason why state policing is necessary. Furthermore, Makinde criticized the tendency to hold governors solely accountable for security failures, noting the contrast in public reactions between the Chibok abductions during the Jonathan administration and recent incidents in Oyo. He promised that an APM presidency would ensure that governors are granted the authority required to match their security responsibilities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During a visit to Bauchi State, APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde highlighted the limitations governors face regarding national security, stating they cannot direct the police, DSS, or military without federal approval. While acknowledging that governors can impose curfews, he noted that such actions must be balanced against economic realities. Addressing security challenges in Oyo, including the recent abduction of schoolchildren, Makinde called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture to better align institutional authority with the duties expected of state leaders. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who hosted the meeting, praised the collaboration and expressed his belief that the APM is strengthening its position as a major opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Option 3: Formal/Policy-Oriented

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has formally challenged the current security framework in Nigeria, asserting that state governors are effectively powerless to direct federal security formations. During his discussions in Bauchi, the APM flag bearer emphasized that without federal clearance, governors cannot exercise operational control over the police, DSS, or military. Makinde advocated for a structural review of the nation’s security architecture, asserting that the current system unfairly places the burden of security on governors who lack the corresponding power to act. Regarding the upcoming 2027 election, Makinde stated that consultations for his running mate are still ongoing, while Governor Bala Mohammed emphasized the importance of such peer-review meetings in enhancing governance and positioning the APM as a robust political platform.

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Saving the NYSC: Can Gowon And Former Presidents Rescue The Nation’s Flagship Youth Program?.

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5 hours ago

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July 10, 2026

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The National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) has formally requested that General Yakubu Gowon—the founder of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)—and Nigeria’s former Presidents intervene in the government’s proposed reforms of the scheme. The group expressed fears that modifications approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) might jeopardize the NYSC’s core mission of promoting national unity and cohesion. NAD National Convener, Dr. Lucky Eremosele, argued that while modernization is necessary, changes should not prioritize commercial interests or specialized skills at the expense of the programme’s mandate to foster integration among Nigeria’s diverse populations. The organization is calling for an urgent meeting between elder statesmen and President Bola Tinubu to ensure that any restructuring aligns with the scheme’s original philosophy and the broader national interest.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) is urging Nigeria’s past leaders, including General Yakubu Gowon, to engage President Bola Tinubu regarding recent plans to reform the NYSC. Concerned that the current reform path could dilute the scheme’s ability to serve as a nation-building tool, NAD advocates for a more inclusive consultation process that involves the founding generation, youth groups, and civil society. The group warns that shifting the NYSC’s focus too heavily toward specialized career streams or technology-driven models could inadvertently weaken inter-ethnic exposure and national reconciliation. Ultimately, NAD emphasizes that the intervention of former Presidents is essential to provide the historical perspective needed to safeguard the NYSC’s “soul”.

Option 3: Policy-Oriented Perspective

The National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) has issued a formal appeal for high-level intervention in the ongoing reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Characterizing the NYSC as a vital instrument for post-civil war reconciliation and national integration, the group argues that executive-led changes must undergo a rigorous review to avoid undermining national unity. NAD identified several risks in the proposed reforms, including the potential for increased inequality through specialized career streams and reduced exposure to Nigeria’s ethno-religious diversity due to changes in deployment models. By calling upon General Gowon and other former heads of state, the alliance aims to secure a consultative reform process that prioritizes national interest, graduate welfare, and institutional integrity.

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