NJC Recommends 14 Judges for Federal High Court, Forwards Names to Tinubu

Security-cleared nominees await presidential approval as judicial reform and bench strengthening efforts intensify

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By John Ishaku | Abuja, Nigeria

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 14 legal practitioners for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court, forwarding their names to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for final approval.

The move marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s judiciary and address capacity gaps within the federal bench.

NJC Concludes Screening, Submits List

The decision was reached at the NJC’s 110th meeting held between January 13 and 14, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.

Council members initially withheld submission of the nominees pending the completion of mandatory security and background checks.

Following clearance reports with no adverse findings, the NJC formally transmitted the list to the Presidency on January 22, 2026.

The Council noted that the vetting process aligns with its constitutional mandate to ensure that only candidates of proven integrity and professional competence are elevated to the bench.

Full List of Nominees

The 14 candidates recommended for appointment to the Federal High Court are:

Suleiman, Amida Hassan
Muhammad, Barau Saidu
Igboko, Chinelo Conchita
Onuegbu, Chioma Angela
Galumje, Edingah
Ibrahim, Vera Eneabo
Abubakar, Musa Usman
Salihu, Aisha Yunusa
Ikpeme, Joy Bassey
Shehu, Umaru Adamu
Mohammed, Ibrahim Buba
Eigege-Binjin, Nendelmum Judith
Usoro, Kuyik Uduak
Nwoye, Osinachi Donatus

Presidential Approval Pending

With the recommendations now before the Presidency, President Tinubu is expected to review and approve the nominees before their eventual swearing-in as judges of the Federal High Court.

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The presidential assent represents the final constitutional step required to formalise the appointments.

Judicial Renewal Drive Gains Momentum

The latest development comes amid a broader judicial reform effort, with the NJC recently forwarding additional nominations for the Supreme Court and various state high courts.

Analysts say the sustained appointments reflect a deliberate push to enhance judicial efficiency, reduce case backlog, and reinforce public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

Inside the NJC Appointment Process

Under the Nigerian Constitution, the NJC is responsible for recommending judicial officers for appointment to superior courts of record.

The process typically involves:

Nomination and internal screening
Security and background checks
Council deliberation and resolution
Transmission of recommendations to the President

This multi-layered procedure is designed to safeguard judicial independence and uphold the integrity of the legal system.

As Nigeria continues efforts to strengthen its judiciary, the fate of the 14 nominees now rests with the Presidency.

Their eventual appointment is expected to bolster the Federal High Court’s capacity and contribute to more efficient administration of justice nationwide.