Supreme Court Gets New Nominees

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 10, (THEWILL) – Three justices of the Court of Appeal have been nominated for appointments to the Supreme Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Also, a Federal High Court Judge has been nominated to become the new President of the Federal High Court.

A statement announcing the nominations by the NJC signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Danladi Halilu, said, “the National Judicial Council (NJC) at its 4th emergency meeting held on Wednesday 9th February 2011, considered appointments of justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.”

Elaborating on the criteria for the appointment of justices of the court, Halilu said: “The appointment of a person to the office of the justice of the Supreme Court involves the following process:

“First, whenever a vacancy exists, a request is made by the Hon Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to the president of the Court of Appeal to nominate suitable candidates for the appointment to the Supreme Court bench.

“Second the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FRSC) upon consideration of such nomination would deliberate on them and pursuant to its powers under the 1999 Constitution, advise the National Judicial Council in nominating persons for appointments to the office of a Justice of the Supreme Court.

“Third, the National Judicial Council would deliberate on the advice of the FJSC and pursuant to its powers under the constitution recommend to the president from among the list of persons submitted to it by the FJSC, person or persons for appointment to the justice of the Supreme Court.

“Fourth, where the president accepts the recommendation, he would appoint the person or persons so recommended to the office of the Justice of the Supreme Court,” he said.

There were earlier reports that Justices Olukayode Ariwoola, Mary Odili (former Rivers State First Lady), and Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, were those nominated for elevation to the Supreme Court.