The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, for appointment to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The recommendation was made at the 110th meeting of the NJC, held on January 13, 2026, and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Justice Oyewole currently serves as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division.
In addition to the Supreme Court recommendation, the NJC approved the appointment of 27 judges to state high courts across seven states—Borno, Plateau, Ekiti, Niger, Delta, Taraba, and Benue.
The council also approved:
Six Kadis for the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina States
Two judges for the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State
According to the NJC, all recommendations followed a rigorous screening process, which included the consideration of public complaints and interviews conducted by a seven-member committee, in line with the 2023 revised NJC Guidelines for Judicial Appointments.
List of Recommended Judicial Officers
Supreme Court
Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole (Court of Appeal)
State High Courts
Borno (6): Babagana Mustapha; Hadiza Grema Mustapha; Peter Bwala James; Tijjani Babakura Zannah; Umar Alkali; Yahaya Alhaji Dunoma
Plateau (6): Andrawus Maikai; Tongret Nanman Kparbong; Diane Ngummai Nkwap; John Ishaku Mantu; Gavou Musa Bature; Kingsley Mangai Mallam
Ekiti (5): Olanike Caroline Adegoke; Julius Sunday Bamidele Bamise; Julius Ajibare; Stephen Rotimi Akinyede; Adefunke Helen Anoma
Niger (4): Adamu Abubakar; Bala Ndajiwo Ahmed; Sa’adatu Abubakar Gambo; Sulaiman Buhari Wushishi
Delta (4): Jonah Akporuaro Otite; Jerooma Sam-Oligida; Boeye Irene Ukuli; Otome Benjamin Adamidenyo
Taraba (1): Mansura Mohammed Babagari
Sharia Courts of Appeal
Niger (3): Usman Abdulrahman Aboki; Ya’aba Mohammed; Nasir Ibrahim Muhammad
Taraba (2): Muhammad Yakubu; Yahaya Abubakar Aliyu
Katsina (1): Mustapha Salis Mutawakkil
Customary Court of Appeal
Delta (2): Bridget Onome Ojeikere; Stella Ovurororo Okah
