News

Commission Shortlists 29 For Supreme Court Job, Shuns SANs [Full List By Region]

Published

3 years ago

June 27, 2022

The Federal Judicial Service Commission may have again excluded lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, from its ongoing recruitment process to fill six Supreme Court vacancies, The PUNCH’s investigation has revealed.

A total of 23 lawyers, including eight SANs, applied for the position.

According to documents obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, only judges of the Court of Appeal made the provisional shortlist, despite that the position was open to legal practitioners with at least 15 years post-call experience, as stipulated by Section 231(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

One of the documents showed that 29 judges of the Court of Appeal, drawn from five geopolitical zones, made the list. The North-Central had five; North-West, five; South-South, five; South-West, five while the South-East had the highest, with nine candidates.

As in the obtained document by The PUNCH, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, who also serves as Chairman of the FJSC, requested the nomination of suitable candidates for consideration “to fill six present and potential vacancies at the Supreme Court” in a January 19, 2022 letter to critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association.

Meanwhile, in response to the CJN’s request, the NBA subsequently forwarded the names of the 23 lawyers who expressed interest in being called to the bench of the apex court to the FJSC for consideration.

The applicants from the bar included Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN); Mrs Joy Okungbowa (SAN); Mrs Miannaya Essien (SAN); Mr Chukwugekwu Ezenwa (SAN); Mr Itoyah Otaru (SAN); Mr Edwin Obiorah (SAN); Mr Abugu Oromafunu (SAN) and Mr Mahmud Adesina (SAN).

Others were Mr Ogbemudia Omoregie; Mr Stanley Princewill; Mr Udochukwu Ezeani; Mr Ayoola Akande; Mr Kadir Temim; Mr Ujah Oyiwona; Mr Omokhuwa Giwa; Mr Achara Ezekwesiri; Mr Adolor Onorieukuhakpo; Mr Ademola Alabi; Mr Nuraddeen Ayagi; Mr Salisu Shuaibu; Mr Enya Nwocha; Mr Ademi-Akpeto Awolowo and Mr Adelekan Ajayi.

However, in a latest development, another letter, dated June 13, by the Chairman of the NBA Judiciary Committee, Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), to his colleagues showed that only judges of the Court of Appeal were shortlisted while all the lawyers were sidelined, which is a continuation of the tradition of elevating only Appeal Court judges to the apex court.

From the North-Central, the names of the judges who made the provisional shortlist include Justices Jummai Sankey, Stephen Adah, Sa’idu Hussain, Ridwan Abdullahi and Mohammed Idris.

In the North-West, the shortlisted judges include Justices Ali Gumel, Tani Hassan, Mohammed Shuaibu, Jamilu Tukur and Balkisu Aliyu.

From the South-East, the successful applicants are Justices Uzoamaka Ndukwe-Anyanwu, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Theresa Orji-Abadua, Obande Ogbuinya, Uchechukwu Onyemenam, Onyekachi Otisi, Ugochukwu Ogakwu and Kenneth Amadi.

In the South-South geopolitical zone, Justices Moore Adumein, Biobele Georgewill, Frederick Oho, Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and Ebiowei Tobi made the list.

In the South-West, Justices Oyebisi Omoleye, Tunde Omotoye, Habeeb Abiru, Peter Olabisi Ige and Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole made the list.

The letter asked lawyers who had comments and/or reservations over their suitability or otherwise to send them to the association’s national secretariat no later than Monday, June 27, 2022.

‘NBA’ll ask questions’

In response to the development and the fact that no lawyer made the provisional list again, the NBA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapulu Nduka, told our correspondent on Saturday that it was unfortunate that lawyers were asked to indicate interest but none were shortlisted.

He added, “We intend to ask more questions on why no lawyer was shortlisted, because we don’t want to speculate. Prior to this time, it’s been for judges to rise through the cadre to the Supreme Court bench and there have been arguments either way.

“The constitution does not say that only judges from the Court of Appeal should go to the Supreme Court. The constitution says once you have 15 years post-call experience, you are qualified to be a Supreme Court judge, but when you look at the convention; the way things are being done, there may be reasons why this has not been done all this while.

“The other side to it is that lawyers who come in from practice are most times people who have shown themselves to be good practitioners. That would also inject some balance into the system. Definitely, somebody who is in the field of practice will see things from another perspective.

“The bottom line is that we want to ask more questions to know why that happened. Like I said, I don’t want to speculate.”

Nduka expressed hope that lawyers would someday be called to the Supreme Court bench or that of the Appeal Court, given the balance it would create.

PUNCH

News

Makinde, Wife Installed As Aare Omoluabi, Yeye Aare Omoluabi Of Akure Kingdom

Published

6 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, and his wife, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, have been installed as the Aare Omoluabi and the Yeye Aare Omoluabi of Akure Kingdom.

The governor, who was conferred with the chieftaincy by the Deji of Akure, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, in Akure, on Friday, said the honour was a call to contribute to the uplift of Akure Kingdom.

Makinde, who congratulated the Deji on his 10th anniversary on the throne, promised to continue to strive and do his best for the progress of the kingdom.

He said that he would contribute towards completing the Akure Town Hall and the modernisation of the Akure Palace, among other things.

He said: “For me and my wife, we are elated for the honour done to us. We can only promise that we will continue to strive and do our best for the progress of Akure Kingdom.

“Usually, they say that prophets are not recognised in their own domain. But today, Akure Kingdom has recognised one of their own. So, I appreciate this. In 1977, I was here and I was 10 years old. So, the honour done to me today is because I am a son of the soil and it is a further call to do my best for the uplift of our Akure Kingdom.

“I want to thank my mother, Mrs Victoria Modupe Alo. She insisted that she must be here.

“There are ongoing projects in the palace and the town hall. I will contribute towards completing the Akure Town Hall. I will also contribute towards modernising the palace of Akure.

“You will know the 10th year coronation of Kabiyesi for a big difference.”

The event had in attendance dignitaries from Oyo State and across the country.

News

How To Stop Smoking

Published

6 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The only way to motivate yourself to stop smoking is to change your lifestyle. If you continue the same life exactly with the same mindset (corn, overeating, unfulfilled job, unfulfilled marriage, etc.), you will relapse later even if you quit for months or years because smoking is a mindset, it’s a symptom of unfulfilled life.

Smoking, or any addiction for that matter, is a symptom of unfinished shadow work (it’s a bit complex term, research it and keep diving within) When life tastes sweet, smoking loses its flavor, so start actually living instead of sleepwalking through life, review your hobbies, check lines of work you’ve always been passionate about, talk the real talk with spouse, friends, filter out the people that are holding you back and dragging you down to their level (you won’t be able to see that with clarity if you smoke)
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News

Top 10 African Countries With Cheapest Petrol Prices In July 2025

Published

7 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Even though many African countries are facing energy problems and making changes in their oil and gas industries, some still have some of the cheapest petrol prices in the world as of July 2025.

Libya, Angola and Algeria are the top three countries with cheapest petrol prices in Africa.

Below are top 10 African countries with the cheapest petrol prices in July 2025, as per GlobalPetrolPrices.com.

Libya

In Libya, fuel costs $0.028 per litre (42.397 Naira), and with its vast oil reserves, it keeps fuel prices remarkably low through significant government subsidies. This long-standing approach guarantees affordable energy for its citizens, contributing to social stability. Despite ongoing political instability, the nation consistently utilises its resources to provide this low-cost energy.

Angola

In Angola, fuel costs $0.327 per litre (500.253 Naira). As a major African oil producer, the country’s domestic output helps keep fuel relatively affordable. However, the government faces the challenge of balancing these subsidies with revenue generation, particularly as it strives to diversify its economy.

Algeria

As a major oil and gas producer, Algeria provides highly affordable fuel, priced around $0.353 per litre (540.216 Naira), through substantial government subsidies. This strategy is important to ensure accessible energy for its citizens and foster social stability. Nevertheless, the government is under pressure to reform its subsidy system to ease fiscal burdens and advance economic diversification

Egypt

At $0.385 per litre (588.000 Naira), Egypt’s fuel prices reflect its dual status as a significant producer and consumer of petroleum. While the government has implemented subsidy reforms in recent years, fuel remains relatively affordable, ensuring widespread energy access for its large population. This approach supports economic growth by reallocating funds previously spent on subsidies to more productive sectors.

Nigeria

Nigeria offers fuel at approximately $0.545 (832.630 Naira) per litre, positioning it among the top countries globally for affordability. This pricing reflects a combination of domestic production advantages and past subsidy policies. However, the nation continues to navigate challenges stemming from recent subsidy reforms and persistent fuel shortages, which significantly impact its economy and citizens.

Sudan

Sudan sells fuel at approximately $0.700 (1070.376 Naira) per litre, placing it among the more affordable options globally. However, political instability and severe economic challenges, including high inflation and currency devaluation, significantly influence its fuel pricing. While subsidies aim to keep fuel affordable, the government struggles to maintain consistent prices amidst these ongoing pressures.

Tunisia

Tunisia ranks 33rd globally with fuel priced at $0.871 (1331.151 Naira) per litre. The country imports most of its energy needs, but government subsidies keep fuel prices relatively low for its citizens. Economic reforms and rising energy demands may challenge this affordability in the future.

Ethiopia

At $0.897 (1372.111 Naira) per litre, Ethiopia ranks 35th globally in fuel affordability. Unlike some of its oil-producing neighbours, Ethiopia is a net importer of fuel, making its pricing sensitive to global oil market fluctuations. The government’s focus on developing infrastructure and reducing reliance on imports could influence future fuel pricing.

Liberia

Liberia offers fuel at $0.908 (1388.903 Naira) per litre, placing it 36th globally. As a net fuel importer, the country’s pricing reflects transportation and import costs. Efforts to stabilise the economy and improve infrastructure are critical to ensuring a consistent fuel supply and affordability

Gabon

In Gabon, fuel costs $1.059 (1619.454 Naira) per litre, ranking it 51st globally. As an oil-exporting nation, Gabon benefits from domestic production, which helps maintain reasonable fuel prices. However, economic diversification remains a priority as the country seeks to reduce dependency on oil revenues.