The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the appointment of five new Judges for the Ekiti State High Court, as part of a broader judicial reshuffle that saw recommendations for the Supreme Court, State High Courts, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal across the country.
The Deputy Director, Information of NJC, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq in a statement made available to newsmen said the decisions were taken at the 110th meeting of the Council held on January 13, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON.
The five judicial officers approved for appointment as Judges of the Ekiti State High Court are:
• Olanike Caroline Adegoke
• Julius Sunday Bamidele Bamise
• Julius Ajibare
• Stephen Rotimi Akinyede
• Adefunke Helen Anoma
Their appointments form part of the Council’s approval of 27 candidates for State High Court judgeships across seven states, following a rigorous screening process that included public complaints consideration and interviews conducted by a seven-member Interview Committee, in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers.
Beyond Ekiti State, the NJC also approved High Court judges for Borno (6), Plateau (6), Niger (4), Delta (4), Benue (1), and Taraba (1) States.
In addition, the Council recommended Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, alongside 35 other candidates for various judicial offices nationwide.
Further approvals included the recommendation of six Kadis for the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger (3), Taraba (2), and Katsina (1) States, as well as two Judges for the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.
• Extension of Imo Acting Chief Judge
The NJC also approved a three-month extension of the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, while urging the Governor of Imo State to immediately commence the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission to enable the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
The Council stressed that the prompt appointment of a substantive Chief Judge is critical to ensuring judicial stability, safeguarding independence, and promoting effective administration of justice in the state.
• Osun Chief Judge Cleared of Allegations
Meanwhile, the Council has cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of all allegations bordering on financial recklessness, diversion of funds, and judicial misconduct.
This decision followed the Council’s consideration and adoption of the report of a three-member Investigation Committee constituted to probe several petitions filed against the Chief Judge.
The petitions were filed by Mr. Eludire G. Kunle, a staff member of the Osun State Customary Court of Appeal and Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), alongside three others. Similar petitions were also submitted by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbediran, Mrs. Temitope Opeoluwa Fasina, and a joint petition by the Osun State Attorney-General, Hon. Oluwole Jimi Bada, together with four purported members of the State Judicial Service Commission.
The allegations ranged from unilateral suspension of judiciary staff, selective promotion, stoppage of training programmes, disobedience of court orders, to misappropriation of funds, including alleged diversion of ₦7.4 million meant for judges’ and magistrates’ retreat, ₦5 million robe allowance, and proceeds from e-affidavits.
After sittings in which all parties were represented by counsel and called witnesses, the Committee ruled that the petition filed by the Attorney-General and others on behalf of the State Judicial Service Commission was incompetent, as issues relating to their membership were already before a court. However, it held that the remaining petitioners had the locus standi to institute their complaints.
The Committee found that due process was followed in the suspension of judiciary staff, that training and promotion matters fall within the statutory responsibilities of the State Judicial Service Commission, and that there was no evidence of diversion or misappropriation of funds by the Chief Judge.
It concluded that none of the allegations amounted to judicial misconduct or breach of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. Consequently, all the petitions were dismissed, a recommendation fully endorsed by the Council.
• Delta Judge Petition Dismissed
In a related development, the NJC dismissed a petition against a Judge of the Delta State High Court, Hon. Justice Gentu E. Timi, over alleged professional misconduct arising from a chieftaincy dispute concerning the ancient stool of Idumuje-Ugboko.
The petitioner, Prince Mbanefo Nwoko (KSC), withdrew the petition on February 17, 2025, after the dispute was resolved following the presentation of a staff of office by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to his client. The Investigation Committee consequently recommended discontinuation of the matter.
• Suspension of Court of Appeal Justice Reversed
The Council also reversed the one-year suspension without pay earlier imposed on Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division.
Justice Inyang had been sanctioned for breaching Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers over ex parte orders granted while presiding over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 at the Federal High Court, Uyo, before his elevation.
However, the Council found that the decision complained of was already under appeal at the time the petition was filed and that the complaint was lodged outside the six-month period stipulated by NJC policy, prompting the reversal of the suspension.
• Other NJC Decisions
The Council reviewed 39 petitions, dismissing 26 for lack of merit, recommending seven for further investigation, and issuing cautions to two judicial officers.
It reiterated its warning against the indiscriminate grant of ex parte orders and advised Heads of Court to be cautious in assigning complex cases to newly appointed Judges. A Committee was also constituted to consider the request for review by nine dismissed Judges of the Imo State Judiciary, while a fresh petition against the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State was declined.
• Retirement and Deaths
The NJC approved the voluntary retirement of Umar Ibrahim Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State, and Justice Obientobara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division. The Council noted with regret that Alhaji Abdullahi passed away shortly after submitting his notice of retirement.
The Council also announced the deaths of Hon. Justice Oluwayemisi Ikeolupo Adelaja, a Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, and Hon. Justice U. I. Abdullahi, Acting Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Plateau State, between November and December 2025.
The NJC extended its condolences to their families, the Judiciary, and the Nigerian legal community, praying for the peaceful repose of their souls.
Full List of Recommended Candidates ;
SUPREME COURT
Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole
SIX HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR BORNO STATE
Mustapha, Mallam Babagana
Mustapha, Hadiza Grema
James, Peter Bwala
Zannah, Tijjani Babakura
Alkali, Alhaji Umar
Dunoma, Yahaya Alhaji
SIX HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR PLATEAU STATE
Maikai, Andrawus
Kparbong, Tongret Nanman
Nkwap, Diane Ngummai
Mantu, John Ishaku
Bature, Gavou Musa
Mallan, Kingsley Mangai
FIVE HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR EKITI STATE
Adegoke, Olanike Caroline
Bamise, Julius Sunday Bamidele
Ajibare, Julius
Akinyede, Stephen Rotimi
Anoma, Adefunke Helen
FOUR HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR NIGER STATE
Abubakar, Adamu
Ahmed, Bala Ndajiwo
Gambo, Sa’adatu Abubakar
Wushishi, Sulaiman Buhari
FOUR HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR DELTA STATE
Otite, Jonah Akporuaro
Sam-Oligida, Jereoma
Ukuli, Boeye Irene
Adamidenyo, Otome Benjamin
ONE HIGH COURT JUDGE FOR TARABA STATE
Babagari, Mansura Mohammed
THREE KADIS FOR SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, NIGER STATE
Aboki, Usman Abdulrahman
Mohammed, Ya’aba
Muhammad, Nasir Ibrahim
TWO KADIS FOR SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, TARABA STATE
Yakubu, Muhammad
Aliyu, Yahaya Abubakar
ONE KADI FOR SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KATSINA STATE
Mutawakkil, Mustapha Salis
TWO JUDGES FOR CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, DELTA STATE
Ojeikere, Bridget Onome
Okah, Stella Ovuorieroro
