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NJC Recommends 12 Judges For Appeal Court, Suspends Two Others(See full List)
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The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision was taken at the NJC’s 111th meeting held on May 13, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement issued late Thursday by the NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the council said the recommendations were made to fill vacancies created by the elevation and retirement of judicial officers.
Those recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal are Justices Abdulhammeed Mohammed Yakubu, Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde, Raphael Ajuwa, Elias Ojie Abua, Mbalamen Jennifer Ijohor, Sabiu Bala Shuaibu, James Kolawole Omotosho, Emeka Nwite, Dauda Njane Buba, Sanusi Kado, Ademola Enikuomehin, and Julcit Veronica Dadom.
The council also recommended Christine T. Clement Ende for appointment as a judge of the Benue State High Court.
Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura were recommended as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
The council also adopted a policy clarifying the eligibility of retired public servants for judicial appointment.
It stated that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not bar retired public servants from being appointed to the Bench.
According to the NJC, the decision was guided by judicial precedent, particularly Ayoola v. Baruwa, where the Court of Appeal affirmed that no constitutional provision prevents a retired legal practitioner from judicial appointment.
Under the new policy, retired public servants seeking judicial appointment must have at least 10 years of service remaining before reaching the mandatory judicial retirement age.
They must also disclose any criminal conviction, full employment history, reasons for leaving previous employment, existing obligations and financial status.
The council extended the appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another three months, from March 26 to June 26, 2026.
The NJC said the extension would allow the state to complete the process of appointing a substantive Chief Judge.
It also commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in contrary to established constitutional procedure.
On disciplinary matters, the NJC rejected appeals filed by eight Imo State judges seeking reversal of their compulsory retirement over alleged age falsification.
The affected judges include Justices B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe, and T.N. Nzeukwu.
However, the council reinstated Justice T.I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal after fresh evidence presented before the review committee was found to be authentic.
The NJC also suspended Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court for one year without pay over judicial misconduct linked to the grant of an ex parte order.
The council found that he failed to observe due process and acted in breach of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Similarly, Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was suspended for one year without pay over breach of fair hearing in a matrimonial case.
The council considered 13 investigation reports on petitions against judicial officers, dismissing eight for lack of merit, want of diligent prosecution or being time-barred.
It also reviewed 98 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, dismissing 68 for lack of merit.
Four judges were cautioned, one received a final warning, and 11 petitions were recommended for further investigation.
The NJC also referred some petitioners and lawyers to relevant disciplinary bodies over alleged frivolous and unsupported petitions.
The NJC commended nine judges for exemplary performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years.
Two judges are to receive letters of commendation for delivering more than 21 considered judgments within the review period, while seven others will receive letters of appreciation.
The council also approved retirement notices for some judicial officers and expressed condolences over the deaths of three judges recorded between December 2025 and April 2026.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Lakwaya village in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, killing two people and injuring several others.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community on Thursday around 4 pm, riding on more than 30 motorcycles. They opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents.
Daily Nigerian quoted an anonymous traditional ruler in the area, who said the attackers came from Gidan Biris, a border town between Kano and Katsina states.
He said two people were killed in the attack, one in Lakwaya and another in Gidan Biris. The attackers also stole cattle before soldiers arrived and engaged them.
“Right now, as we are speaking with you, there is a clash going on. Soldiers have just arrived and are responding accordingly. As I am speaking with you now, I am standing beside the body of one of those killed,” he said.
“The attackers came on more than 30 motorcycles around 4 pm and started shooting sporadically. Troops are currently responding to the attack based on the information I received,” he added.
He also said no abduction was reported but confirmed that livestock was taken.
According to him, the body of one victim was taken to Gwarzo General Hospital for examination before being returned to the village for burial after normalcy was restored.
Dangote Refinery has reopened its legal battle against fuel importation in Nigeria, filing a fresh suit seeking the cancellation of petrol import licences issued to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and several oil marketers.Nigerian politics analysis
Dangote Refinery has reopened its legal battle against fuel importation in Nigeria, filing a fresh suit seeking the cancellation of petrol import licences issued to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and several oil marketers.
Court filings before the Federal High Court in Lagos showed that the refinery is challenging the continued approval of fuel import permits by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, despite growing domestic refining output.
The latest court action comes at a time when Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol is falling sharply following increased production from local refineries, particularly the Dangote facility.
According to recent industry figures released by the NMDPRA, local refineries supplied about 3.18 billion litres of petrol in the first quarter of 2026, while imports declined significantly during the same period.
Dangote Refinery argued that the issuance and renewal of import licences violate an earlier court directive ordering all parties to maintain the status quo pending determination of the dispute.
The company further contended that Nigerian law only permits fuel importation when local production is unable to meet national demand, insisting that the continued approvals threaten the commercial viability of its operations as production ramps up.
The refinery’s management believes Nigeria’s growing refining capacity should reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthen domestic supply chains.
Oil marketers, however, have consistently defended fuel importation, maintaining that imports remain necessary to guarantee adequate nationwide supply and prevent shortages.
The dispute marks another chapter in the ongoing battle between Dangote Refinery and fuel importers over control of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.
In 2025, the refinery instituted a similar lawsuit against the NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd and several marketers including AYM Shafa Ltd, A.A. Rano Ltd, T. Time Petroleum Ltd, 2015 Petroleum Ltd and Matrix Petroleum Services Ltd, seeking to nullify import permits granted to the firms.
That earlier suit also included a N100 billion damages claim, although Dangote Refinery later withdrew the case without proceeding to trial.
Nigeria has for decades relied heavily on imported petrol due to the poor performance of state-owned refineries. But the commencement of operations at the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Refinery has significantly altered the country’s fuel supply structure.Nigerian politics analysis
Industry data indicate that petrol imports dropped to about 965.52 million litres in the first quarter of 2026, compared to roughly 2.43 billion litres recorded during the same period in 2025, representing a decline of more than 60 per cent.
Meanwhile, supply from domestic refineries rose from 1.996 billion litres to 3.179 billion litres within the same period, increasing the share of locally refined petrol in Nigeria’s total fuel supply to about 76.7 per cent.
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has repeatedly maintained that the refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand while also supplying refined products to other African countries.
Dangote recently disclosed that the refinery exported 17 cargoes of refined petroleum products to various African markets in March alone, underlining its growing influence within the regional energy sector.
News
2027: Former Sokoto Deputy Gov, Dan’iya hails Tambuwal, ADC, after emerging consensus candidate
Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has emerged, The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 election in the state.
Dan’iya confirmed the development in a statement, on Friday by his former Press Secretary, Aminu Abubakar.
The former Deputy governor, who served under ex-Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, thanked party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters for the confidence reposed in him.
He described his emergence as a major responsibility and pledged to work towards unity, stability, and development in Sokoto State.
Dan’iya also appreciated Tambuwal for his support and political guidance, noting that the backing he received from party stakeholders, youths, women groups, and political associates reflected a shared vision for the future of the state.
According to him, the ADC movement represents a platform focused on inclusive leadership, good governance, and people-oriented policies ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He called on supporters of the movement to remain peaceful and united as political consultations continue ahead of the polls.
Reports indicated that no fewer than 10 aspirants had shown interest in the ADC governorship ticket, including former Ambassador to Jordan, Faruk Malami Yabo.
Sad: Bandits kill two, injure many in Kano village invasion
Dangote Refinery drags NNPC, Marketers to Court over Fuel Imports
2027: Former Sokoto Deputy Gov, Dan’iya hails Tambuwal, ADC, after emerging consensus candidate
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