Babatunji Wusu –
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the eleven Justices that President Bola Tinubu had recommended to fill the Supreme Court vacancies. The lawmakers made a strong case for more funding for the judiciary.
Jummai Sankey, Stephen Adah, Mohammed Idris, Haruna Tsammani, Jamilu Tukur, Abubakar Umar, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Obande Ogbuinya, Moore Adumein, and Habeeb Abiru were the newly appointed Supreme Court Justices.
Following the acceptance of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters’ report at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday, the nominations of the 11 Justices were confirmed in a Committee of the Whole of the upper chamber.
The chairman of the committee that delivered the report, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, stated that the request for the candidates’ confirmation was made in accordance with section 231(2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In order to verify the nominees’ eligibility for appointment as Supreme Court Justices, he stated that his committee had obtained the nominees’ curriculum vitae and other supporting documentation at the screening.
He stated that “each nominee showed knowledge and grasp on questions asked by members of the committee.”
Monguno stated that none of the nominees had a criminal history or had received a petition against them, and that each had the necessary training and background to serve as justices of the Supreme Court.
The nominees were all eminently qualified to be appointed as justices of the Supreme Court, according to Sen. Binos Yaroe (PDP-Adamawa), who seconded the motion for adoption of the report.
He stated that every nomination came from the Appeal Courts and urged that in the near future, efforts be made to propose academic law academics who would be qualified.
President Bola Tinubu received praise for the nomination from former Senate President Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe) and former Senate Chief Whip Sen. Orji Uzor-Kalu (APC-Abia).
They demanded increased funding for the court system, arguing that such spending would guarantee prompt administration of justice.
Lawan remarked, “Let’s give them more resources.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Tinubu for include representatives from all zones in his nomination and stated that providing additional funding for the judiciary would enhance contemporary methods of enforcing the law.
In addition to congratulating the justices, he asked God to give them the discernment and moral fortitude needed to uphold the law in Nigeria.
