By Gideon Njoku
The Honourable Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is one of those shortlisted for election to a higher Court – the Court of Appeal.
Omotosho became one of the most known Judges in Nigeria after his Court convicted and sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment for terrorism.
Justice Omotosho’s name is one of the names which 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.”
It 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.
The Commission said the decision to publish the names of those shortlisted is aimed at transparency in judicial appointments.
The statement read in part:
“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 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.”
Justice Omotosho was shortlisted alongside other judges from Federal and State High Courts, as well as Customary and Sharia Courts of Appeal across the country.
Those shortlisted are as follows:
Benue State
- Hon. Justice Raphael Aluwe ●Hon. Justice Dennis Mbaafumega Igyuse.
Bayelsa State
- Justice Ebiyerin Goodness ●Justice Simon Warikiyel, ●Justice Zibotu Patience.
Cross River State
- Hon. Justice Abus Elias Ojie ●Hon. Justice Agianpuye Ubus ●Hon. Justice Abba Ukpai ●Hon. Justice Obo Awusa Oto.
Ekiti State
- Justice Monsola Oluwatoyin Abiodunde
Plateau State
- Justice Jacob Azi Atsen, ●Hon. Justice Veronica Julcit, ●Hon. Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam ●Hon. Justice Nankwat Dawat Shaseet.
Ogun State
- Hon. Justice James Kolawole Omotosho ●Hon. Justice Ogunfowora ●Hon. Justice Rukayat Velunde ●Hon. Justice Olufunke Sule Minzall.
Gombe State
- Hon. Justice Abdulhameed Mohammed Yakubu ●Hon. Justice Suleiman Yahaya Abubakar ●Hon. Justice Mohammed Auwal Haruna ●Hon. Justice Daurabo Suleiman.
Ondo State
- Hon. Justice Oluyemi Debayo ●Hon. Justice Orimisan James ●Hon. Justice Akintemi Michael, and Hon. Justice Ademola.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
- Hon. Justice Nuhu Sumenti Adi ●Hon. Justice Rosemary Indinya Kanyip, ●Hon. Justice Danladi John Yakubu.
Taraba State
- Hon. Justice Dauda Njane Buba.
Katsina State
- Hon. Justice Sanusi Kado ●Hon. Justice Safiya Badamasi Umar,SAN ●Hon. Justice Adam Salihu Varima ●Hon. Justice Ibrahim Abubakar Maude.
Kebbi State
- Hon. Justice Sabiu Bala Shuaibu ●Hon. Justice Maryam Aliyu ●Hon. Justice Abubakar Saddiq Bello ●Hon. Justice Shamsudeen Ja’afar.
Ebonyi State
- Hon. Justice Vincent Nwanchukwu ●Hon. Justice Thelma Adanna Achom ●Hon. Justice Esther Awo Ota ●Hon. Justice Emoka Naito.
Members of the public have been asked by the public to submit complaints or comments on any of the shortlisted candidates.
Said the Commission: “All complaints or comments must be submitted in writing within Fourteen (14) days from the date of this publication. Each complaint/comment must be accompanied by a verifying affidavit.
“Guard against false and unsubstantial complaint/comment as there will be consequences.”
