The Senate has given its confirmation for the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill vacancies on the apex court bench. This confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters during Thursday’s plenary.
President Tinubu sought Senate confirmation for the nominees recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill vacant positions resulting from the death and resignation of some justices.
Among the confirmed nominees are Justice Haruna Tsammani (North East), who 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 (North West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North West), and Justice Mohammed Idris (North Central).
Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno), the committee chairman, confirmed that the nominees possess the necessary qualifications and experience, with no petitions against them, recommending their confirmation.
With the confirmation of these 11 justices, the Supreme Court now meets the statutory requirement of having 21 justices on its bench.
Senators expressed concerns about delays in appointing justices, emphasizing the need for immediate replacements in case of subsequent vacancies.
Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa) urged that in the event of subsequent vacancies, a provision for their immediate replacement should be made.
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 delay so that we don’t become a laughing stock.”
The Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti), said it was important that those who are next in line be screened and appointed immediately as the vacancies occur at the apex court.
There were also calls to review the budget for the judiciary to enhance its effectiveness.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia) stressed that the funds allocated to the Supreme Court in the 2024 budget should be reviewed upwards to ensure 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.”
Ada Peter
