Appointment of Ten Justices to the Supreme Court: Call for Expression of Interest

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, had earlier on the 1z4vth of June, 2023 called on the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) to nominate suitably qualified candidates to be recommended for appointment to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In a revised notice which supersedes the earlier notice issued to that effect the CJN has increased the number of the candidates for the appointment from eight to ten.

See revised notice issued by the NBA President below:

By a letter dated 19 June, which superseded the earlier letter of 14 June 2023, the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, has requested me, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, to nominate suitably qualified candidates to be recommended for appointment to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.  

The available 10 slots are for candidates from: South East (2); South South (1); South West (1); North Central (3), North East (1) and North West (2).

Consequently, suitably qualified candidates interested in applying for appointment to the Supreme Court, are requested to submit their Expression of Interest to the National Secretariat of the NBA on or before 26 June 2023. All correspondences should be addressed to:

The President

Nigerian Bar Association

c/o Ayodeji Oni, Esq.

Head, Legal Services Department Nigerian Bar Association

National Secretariat

Plot 1101 Cadastral Zone A00

Central Business District

Abuja.

The expressions of interest should include the following attached thereto:

 1.       A copy of the Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae

 2.       A copy of the Applicant’s Call to Bar Certificate

 3.       Evidence of payment of Bar Practicing Fees (BPF) as and when due, for 10 years preceding the application, inclusive of 2023 (applicable to members of the Bar only)  

 4.       Evidence of payment of NBA Branch Dues as and when due, for the past 10 years preceding the application, inclusive of 2023 (applicable to members of the Bar only)

 5.       Evidence of attendance at least 10 Conferences of the NBA

 6.       Evidence of membership of Sections or Fora of the NBA (applicable to members of the Bar only)

 7.       Certified true copies of at least 10 Judgments in contested cases conducted by the Applicant within the 5 years preceding the date of application or 10 judgements delivered by the Applicant in contested cases within 2 years preceding the date of application.

 8.       A letter of good standing from the Chairman of the applicant’s Branch, and 5 letters of references (2 of the referees must be Senior Advocates) confirming that the candidate possesses the qualities set out in Rule 4(4)(1)(a), (b) and (d) of the National judicial Council Guidelines for the Appointment of Judicial Officers for Superior Courts of Record as reproduced hereunder:

 “In all cases:

1. Good character and reputation, diligence and hard work, honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of law and consistent adherence to professional ethics;

 As may be applicable:

2. Active successful practice at the Bar, including satisfactory presentation of cases in Court as a Legal Practitioner either in private practice or as a Legal Officer in any Public Service;
3. …
4. Credible record of teaching law, legal research in a reputable University and publication of legal works…”

THIS NOTICE SUPERSEDES THE EARLIER NOTICE ISSUED ON 16 JUNE 2023.