Buhari Seeks Confirmation Ogunwumiju, Garba, 6 Others As Supreme Court Justices

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated eight justices of the Court of Appeal as Supreme Court justices.

They are: Hon. Justice Lawal Garba, North West; Hon. Justice Helen M. Ogunwumiju, South West; Hon. Justice Addu Aboki, North West; Hon. Justice I. M. M. Saulawa, North West; Hon. Justice Adamu Jauro, North East; Hon. Justice Samuel C. Oseji, South South; Hon. Justice Tijjani Abubakar, North East; and Hon. Justice Emmanuel A. Agim, South South.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, confirmed on Tuesday receipt of President Buhari’s request for Senate’s approval of eight Justices of the Court of Appeal as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The request, which was contained in a letter dated 31st August, 2020, was read on the floor during plenary by the Senate President.

In the letter, President Buhari said his request for the confirmation of eight justices of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court was in line with the provisions of section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution and the advice of the National Judicial Council.

The letter reads: “Pursuant to section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and upon the advice of the National Judicial Council, I hereby present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the underlisted Eight (8) Justices of the Court of Appeal as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, according to their ranking of seniority at the Court of Appeal.”

Meanwhile, President Buhari has also requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of the Chairman and Commissioners of the National Population Commission.

The request to the Senate was dated 14th September, 2020.

The letter reads, “In accordance with the provision of Section 154 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the underlisted names of twelve (12) nominees as Chairman and Commissioners of the National Population Commission.

The appointees are: Nasir Isa Kwarra (Nasarawa), Chairman; Ali Silas Agara (Nasarawa); Mohammed Chiso A. Dottoji (Sokoto); Gidado Razak Folorunso (Kwara); Ibrahim Mohammed (Bauchi); Hon. Joseph Kwali Shazin (FCT); Ajayi Ayodeji Sunday (Ekiti); Garba A. G. Zakar (Jigawa); Mai Aliyu Muhammad (Yobe); Muhammad Muttaka Rini (Zamfara); Hon. Engr. Bala Almu Banya (Katsina); and Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (Lagos).

In a third request, President Buhari sought the confirmation of Ambassador Muhammad Haruna Manta and Yusuf Yunusa as Non-Career Ambassador-Designates.

The request, according to the President, was made in accordance to Section 171(1),(2)(c) and sub-section (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

President Buhari noted that the appointment of both nominees serve as replacement to his earlier submission, wherein he nominated Air Commodore Peter Ndabake Gana (Rtd) and Alh. Yusuf Mohammed, from Niger and Yobe States respectively.