Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Justice Nyesom-Wike Suzzette, wife of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and former Rivers State Governor, Nyseom Wike, has been recommended by the National Judicial Council, NJC, for promotion to the Court of Appeal.
NJC also recommended Justice Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria, the daughter-in-law to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, for promotion to the Federal High Court, Abuja.
While Justice Suzette was among the list of 21 justices recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal, CJN’s daughter in-law along with 12 other judges, were for the Federal High Court.
Before her recommendation by the NJC, Justice Wike was a Justice at the Rivers State High Court.
NJC recommended a total of 86 judges for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval.
According to a statement by the judicial regulatory body, the recommendation took place at the NJC’s 105th plenary meeting held between May 15 and 16, 2024.
The statement signed by NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, read in part: “all recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors.”
Meanwhile, NJC has resolved to issue warning letters to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court; Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of the Delta State High Court and Justice Amina Shehu of the Yobe State High Court, after the trio were found guilty of different degrees of misconduct.
Ekwo and Brikins-Okolosi were barred from elevation to a higher Bench for two years and three years, respectively.
Recall that the former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission and rights activist, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, had recently raised the alarm in the media that judicial appointments under the current CJN, Ariwoola, have been coloured by filial affiliations.
