President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate's confirmation of 11 nominees for the Supreme Court bench. This significant development was revealed as Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu's letter during Wednesday's plenary session. The nominees, recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC), await Senate clearance before assuming their roles as Supreme Court justices.
The NJC's recommendation followed the submission of a list comprising 22 nominees to fill vacancies within the Supreme Court. Notable among the recommended justices are Haruna Tsammani, who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, and Moore Adumein, representing the South-south region. The Senate Committee on Judiciary has been tasked with screening the nominees, facilitating legislative input into this pivotal decision.
Presently, the Supreme Court operates with only 10 justices, falling short of the statutory requirement of 21. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, is committed to ensuring the court reaches its constitutional capacity. Currently, only four out of the six geo-political zones are represented, with the South-east and North-central having no justices. This proposed confirmation could address this imbalance, providing a more comprehensive representation across the nation.
If confirmed, the South-east and North-central regions will each boast three justices, fulfilling a crucial need for equitable distribution. As the Senate embarks on the confirmation process, the outcome holds the potential to reshape the Supreme Court's composition, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Nigeria's judicial syste
