BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Finally, the stage is now set for the Supreme Court to boost its numbers with the Senate confirming the appointment of 11 justices nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill existing vacancies in the apex Court.
The Senate’s confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, during plenary on Thursday, 21st December 2023.
President Tinubu had requested the upper Legislative Chamber to confirm nominees recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to fill vacant positions due to retirement and death of some justices.
Those confirmed by the Senate include Justice Haruna Tsammani (North East) who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPT); Justice Moore Adumein (South South); Justice Jummai Sankey (North Central); Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East); and Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South East)
Others on the list are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East); Justice Stephen Adah (North Central); Justice Mohammed Idris (North Central); Justice Jamilu Tukur (North West); Justice Abubakar Umar (North West); and Justice Habeeb Abiru (South West).
Presenting his Committee’s report, the Chairman, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno), described the nominees as possessing the requisite qualifications and experience to occupy the position, noting that there were no petitions against any of them.
Consequently,the Committee recommended that they be confirmed by the Senate.
Arising from this development, the nation’s apex Court would now boast of the statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.
In expressing worries over the delay in appointing justices for the Supreme Court bench, some Senate maintained that going forward, adequate provisions should be made to ensure that there is quick response by the appointing authorities.
In his intervention, the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti), said it is imperative that those who are next in line be screened and appointed immediately as the vacancies occur at the Supreme court.
Also commenting on the development, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa) said in the event of subsequent vacancies, it is important to have a provision that would encourage their immediate replacement.
The former Bayelsa State Governor stated thus; “Anytime these vacancies occur, they should be filled immediately. I want to draw that to the attention of the President; there shouldn’t be delay so that we don’t become a laughing stock.”
On his part, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia) urged the National Assembly (NASS) to review upwards the funds allocated to the apex Court in the 2024 budget in order to ensure its operational efficiency and effective service delivery to Nigerians.
According to him; “The Senate should look at the budget of the judiciary because even the state courts are in a mess”, adding; “How can they give good justice? This is not the way it was before; we were obviously doing better” in the past.
