Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, wey sentence leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on terrorism charges, don make shortlist for appointment as Justice of the Court of Appeal.

 

Justice Omotosho name dey among 48 judges wey Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) nominate for the Court of Appeal bench.

 

The list of the 48 nominees dey inside one public notice, wey Secretary of the Federal Judicial Service Commission sign. The notice direct members of the public make dem submit comments or petitions to the Commission Secretariat for Supreme Court Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

 

According to the Commission, dem publish the names to promote transparency for judicial appointment matter.

 

“To enhance transparency and accountability in the appointment process of Judicial Officers to Superior Courts of Record, the Federal Judicial Service Commission don resolve say e go always publish names of all shortlisted candidates,” the notice talk.

 

FJSC explain say the aim na to allow members of the public look well into the integrity, reputation and suitability of the nominees before final appointment.

 

The commission say na Court of Appeal submit the initial list of 48 nominees to am to start the appointment process.

 

After FJSC finish im own screening, e go recommend 24 names from the 48 to the National Judicial Council (NJC). The NJC go then conduct interview and screening, before selecting final 12 candidates wey dem go forward to President Bola Tinubu for appointment.

 

Among the nominees na Justice James Omotosho from Ogun State, wey for November last year sentence Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment for terrorism. Kanu currently dey serve im jail term for correctional centre for Sokoto.

 

Another notable name for the list na Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. E dey handle several sensitive and high-profile cases, including the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. If Justice Nwite eventually get appointed, any case wey e no finish go start afresh.

 

Also on the list na Safiya Badamasi Umar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and judge of the Katsina State High Court. SANs no too common among judicial appointment candidates.

 

The successful candidates go fill vacant Court of Appeal slots for 12 states: Benue, Plateau, Gombe, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo. Each state get four nominees for the initial long list.

 

At the end of the exercise, only 12 judges go finally get appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal.

 

Full List of Nominees by State:

 

Benue: Ibrahim Mohammed, Augustine Ityonyiman, Jennifer Ijohor, Dennis Igyuse.

Plateau: Jacob Azi Atsen, Veronica Dadom, Stephen Dalyop Pam, Nankwat Dawat Shaseet.

Gombe: Abdulhameed Mohammed Yakubu, Suleiman Yahaya Abubakar, Mohammed Auwal Haruna, Daurabo Suleiman Sikkam.

Taraba: Nuhu Adi, Rosemary Kanyip, Danladi Yakubu, Dauda Njane Buba.

Katsina: Sanusi Kado, Safiya Badamasi Umar (SAN), Adam Salihu Yarima, Ibrahim Abubakar Maude.

Kebbi: Sabiu Bala Shuaibu, Maryam Aliyu Hassan, Abubakar Saddiq Bello, Shamsudeen Ja’afar.

Ebonyi: Vincent Nwanchor, Thelma Adanna Achom, Esther Awo Ota, Emeka Nwite.

Bayelsa: Raphael Ajuwa, Ebiyerin Goodness Omukoro, Simon Warikiyel Amaduobogha, Patience Zoufa.

Cross River: Abua Elias Ojie, Emmanuel Ubua, Ukpai Abba, Obo Awusa Oto.

Ekiti: Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, Jubril Aladejana, Lucas Ogundana, Olusegun Ogunyemi.

Ogun: James Kolawole Omotosho, Olugboyega Ogunfowora, Yetunde Pinheiro, Olufunke Sule-Amzat.

Ondo: Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, Orimisan Okorisa, Akinfemi Owoyemi, Ademola Enikuomehi