Indications have emerged that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has been shortlisted for appointment as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS learnt that the name of the judge, who convicted and sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism, appeared in a notice issued by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) titled “APPOINTMENT OF 12 JUSTICES TO THE COURT OF APPEAL BENCH – CALL FOR COMMENTS.”
The notice was signed by the Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission, and directed submissions to the Commission’s Secretariat at the Supreme Court Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
According to the Commission, the decision to publish the names of shortlisted candidates is aimed at transparency in judicial appointments.
“To enhance transparency and accountability in the appointment process of Judicial Officers to Superior Courts of Record, it has been resolved that the Federal Judicial Service Commission… shall always publish the names of all shortlisted candidates,” the notice stated.
The Commission said the exercise is intended to allow public scrutiny of nominees.
“The primary objective of this initiative is to solicit comments from the general public regarding the integrity, reputation and suitability of these candidates for Judicial appointments,” it added.
Among those shortlisted is Justice Omotosho, alongside several other judges drawn from Federal and State High Courts, as well as Customary and Sharia Courts of Appeal across the country.
For Benue State, the shortlisted candidates are Hon. Justice Raphael Aluwe and Hon. Justice Dennis Mbaafumega Igyuse.
From Bayelsa State, the nominees are Justice Ebiyerin Goodness, Justice Simon Warikiyel, and Justice Zibotu Patience.
In Cross River State, the shortlisted judges include Hon. Justice Abus Elias Ojie, Hon. Justice Agianpuye Ubus, Hon. Justice Abba Ukpai, and Hon. Justice Obo Awusa Oto.
For Ekiti State, the list features Justice Monsola Oluwatoyin Abiodunde.
From Plateau State, the nominees are Justice Jacob Azi Atsen, Hon. Justice Veronica Julcit, Hon. Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, and Hon. Justice Nankwat Dawat Shaseet.
In Ogun State, the shortlisted candidates include Hon. Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, Hon. Justice Ogunfowora, Hon. Justice Rukayat Velunde, and Hon. Justice Olufunke Sule Minzall.
For Gombe State, the Commission listed Hon. Justice Abdulhameed Mohammed Yakubu, Hon. Justice Suleiman Yahaya Abubakar, Hon. Justice Mohammed Auwal Haruna, and Hon. Justice Daurabo Suleiman.
From Ondo State, the shortlisted judges are Hon. Justice Oluyemi Debayo, Hon. Justice Orimisan James, Hon. Justice Akintemi Michael, and Hon. Justice Ademola.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) nominees are Hon. Justice Nuhu Sumenti Adi, Hon. Justice Rosemary Indinya Kanyip, and Hon. Justice Danladi John Yakubu.
For Taraba State, the candidate listed is Hon. Justice Dauda Njane Buba.
From Katsina State, the shortlisted judges are Hon. Justice Sanusi Kado, Hon. Justice Safiya Badamasi Umar, SAN, Hon. Justice Adam Salihu Varima, and Hon. Justice Ibrahim Abubakar Maude.
In Kebbi State, the nominees include Hon. Justice Sabiu Bala Shuaibu, Hon. Justice Maryam Aliyu, Hon. Justice Abubakar Saddiq Bello, and Hon. Justice Shamsudeen Ja’afar.
For Ebonyi State, the shortlisted candidates are Hon. Justice Vincent Nwanchukwu, Hon. Justice Thelma Adanna Achom, Hon. Justice Esther Awo Ota, and Hon. Justice Emoka Naito.
