The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, alongside 35 other candidates for various judicial offices across the country.
The decisions were taken at the Council’s 110th meeting held on 13 January 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON.
Justice Oyewole is currently the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division.
High Court, Sharia and Customary Court Appointments
The NJC approved 27 candidates for appointment as Judges of State High Courts across seven states: Borno (6), Plateau (6), Ekiti (5), Niger (4), Delta (4), Taraba (1) and Benue (1).
In addition, the Council recommended:
- Six Kadis for the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger (3), Taraba (2) and Katsina (1) States; and
- Two Judges for appointment to the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.
The NJC stated that all appointments followed a rigorous screening process, including consideration of public complaints and interviews conducted in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers.
Imo, Osun and Delta Matters
The Council approved a three-month extension of the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, while urging the Imo State Governor to immediately commence the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission to facilitate the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
In a major disciplinary decision, the NJC cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of allegations bordering on financial recklessness, diversion of funds and judicial misconduct. The Council upheld the report of its Investigation Committee, which found no evidence to support the claims and concluded that none of the allegations amounted to misconduct.
Similarly, the Council dismissed a petition against a Judge of the Delta State High Court, Hon. Justice Gentu E. Timi, arising from a chieftaincy dispute, following the withdrawal of the petition after the resolution of the dispute.
Reversal of Suspension and Other Disciplinary Actions
The NJC also reversed the one-year suspension without pay earlier imposed on Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division. The Council held that the petition against the Justice was filed while the subject matter was already on appeal and outside the prescribed six-month period for lodging complaints.
Out of 39 petitions considered at the meeting, the Council dismissed 26 for lack of merit, recommended seven for further investigation, and issued cautions to two judicial officers. One was cautioned for delivering judgment outside the constitutionally prescribed 90 days, while another was warned over the use of inappropriate language.
The NJC reiterated its warning against the indiscriminate grant of ex parte orders and advised Heads of Court to exercise caution in assigning complex matters to newly appointed judges.
Retirement and Deaths
The Council approved the voluntary retirement of Justice Obientobara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division, and Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State. The Council noted with regret that Alhaji Abdullahi passed away shortly after submitting his notice of retirement.
The NJC also announced the deaths of Hon. Justice Oluwayemisi Ikeolupo Adelaja of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Hon. Justice U. I. Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State, between November and December 2025.
The Council extended its condolences to the families of the deceased, the Judiciary and the Nigerian legal community.
The press statement was signed by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq.