The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has released the full list of 48 nominees shortlisted for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s appellate judiciary and ease mounting caseload pressures across the courts.
The nomination exercise, which will eventually result in the appointment of 12 new Court of Appeal Justices, remains subject to further screening by the National Judicial Council (NJC) before final recommendations are forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval. In line with transparency standards in judicial appointments, the FJSC has also invited members of the public to submit credible feedback or petitions regarding any of the nominees.
From Benue State, the nominees are Ibrahim Mohammed, Augustine Ityonyiman, Jennifer Ijohor, and Dennis Igyuse. Plateau State is represented by Jacob Azi Atsen, Veronica Dadom, Stephen Dalyop Pam, and Nankwat Dawat Shaseet. The nominees from Gombe State include Abdulhameed Mohammed Yakubu, Suleiman Yahaya Abubakar, Mohammed Auwal Haruna, and Daurabo Suleiman Sikkam, while Taraba State put forward Nuhu Adi, Rosemary Kanyip, Danladi Yakubu, and Dauda Njane Buba.
From Katsina State, the shortlisted candidates are Sanusi Kado, Safiya Badamasi Umar (SAN), Adam Salihu Yarima, and Ibrahim Abubakar Maude. Kebbi State’s nominees are Sabiu Bala Shuaibu, Maryam Aliyu Hassan, Abubakar Saddiq Bello, and Shamsudeen Ja’afar. Ebonyi State is represented by Vincent Nwanchor, Thelma Adanna Achom, Esther Awo Ota, and Emeka Nwite, while Bayelsa State nominated Raphael Ajuwa, Ebiyerin Goodness Omukoro, Simon Warikiyel Amaduobogha, and Patience Zoufa.
The list also includes Abua Elias Ojie, Emmanuel Ubua, Ukpai Abba, and Obo Awusa Oto from Cross River State. Ekiti State’s nominees are Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, Jubril Aladejana, Lucas Ogundana, and Olusegun Ogunyemi. From Ogun State, the nominees are James Kolawole Omotosho, Olugboyega Ogunfowora, Yetunde Pinheiro, and Olufunke Sule-Amzat, while Ondo State is represented by Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, Orimisan Okorisa, Akinfemi Owoyemi, and Ademola Enikuomehin.
The shortlisted candidates include serving Federal High Court judges, senior legal practitioners, and seasoned judicial officers with expertise in constitutional law, commercial litigation, criminal justice, and electoral adjudication. High-profile nominees such as James Kolawole Omotosho, Emeka Nwite, Safiya Badamasi Umar (SAN), and Yetunde Pinheiro are widely regarded as influential figures within Nigeria’s legal and judicial ecosystem.
The shortlist emerges at a time when Nigeria’s appellate courts are grappling with rising case backlogs, politically sensitive litigation, and post-election disputes, placing increased pressure on the judiciary to expand capacity while safeguarding independence and public trust. Legal analysts say the eventual appointment of new justices could reshape judicial balance, particularly as courts continue to play an expanding role in resolving political crises, corruption trials, constitutional conflicts, and election matters.
The National Judicial Council is expected to conduct integrity screenings, performance reviews, and background evaluations on all nominees before finalising its recommendations, after which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make the official appointments in accordance with constitutional procedures.
