In exercise of the functions conferred on it by Paragraph 13 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) recently published the names of candidates shortlisted by it for recommendation to the National Judicial Council for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court.
By paragraph 13 (a) (vi) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the FJSC is conferred with the crucial responsibility of advising the National Judicial Council (NJC) in nominating persons for judicial appointments to some superior courts of record, including the Federal High Court.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) commends the FJSC under the leadership of the
Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON for publishing the names of legal practitioners who are to be recommended to the NJC for appointment to the Federal High Court Bench. The NBA notes that the publication of the names of these Applicants for public comments and scrutiny has raised the bar of transparency and bolstered confidence in the process for judicial appointments.
As a major stakeholder in the justice administration system, the NBA considers it imperative to contribute its quota by ensuring that only the best hands are appointed to sit on the Federal High Court Bench, a court whose importance in the Nigerian judicial system cannot be overemphasised.
To this effect, the President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN has directed the NBA
Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA SPIDEL) to invite and collate comments from members of the legal profession and the general public on the competence and suitability of the nominees shortlisted by the FJSC.
Consequently, NBA-SPIDEL has constituted a three-man committee to be chaired by Mr.
Olukunle O. Edun, SAN to co-ordinate this task.
Other members of the Committee are Mr. Vincent Adodo who will serve as the Secretary to the Committee and Ms. Mojirayo Ogunlana who will serve as a member.
All complaints and comments should be sent to [email protected]. The comments and/or complaints should be addressed as attached to this letter.
All complaints and comments must be submitted not later than 14 days from the date of the issuance of this notice. The deadline for submission is the 3rd of October 2025.
The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) had published the shortlist of 62 candidates for possible appointment to the Federal High Court.
The announcement, made through national newspapers on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, invites the public to submit feedback on nominees’ integrity, reputation, and suitability.
The FJSC explained that the names emerged after a rigorous computer-based test conducted by the Federal High Court. Fourteen new appointments are expected.
Headquartered at the Supreme Court Complex, Abuja, the commission stated that this process ensures only qualified and unimpeachable candidates ascend to the Federal High Court bench.
The list includes nominees drawn from private practice, ministries, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and state judiciaries across Nigeria.
Shortlisted Candidates
Abia State
Esowe-Osunwa Nneka Marilyn – Federal High Court, Abuja
Igboko Chinelo Conchita – Federal Ministry of Works, Lagos
Enyidiya Uma-Onwunta – High Court of Justice, Abia
Uguru Eme Uguru – High Court of Justice, Abia
Akwa Ibom State
Kuyik Uduak Usoro – Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja
Ekaete Mercy Efobi – Federal High Court, Lagos Division
Kufre Ekpenyong Uduak – EFCC, Sokoto
Mary Ukeje Emenike – High Court of Justice, Abia
Cross River State
Mercy Toney Ene – Cross River State Judiciary, Calabar
Ekeng Bassey Kooffreh – Private Practice, Calabar
Joy Bassey Ikpeme – Ministry of Justice, Calabar
Nkechi Yvonne Usani – Cross River Customary Court of Appeal
Enugu State
Ifeoma Chinyere Uzoefuna – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
Chika Vivienne Nnamani – National Counter Terrorism Centre, Abuja
Nnesochi Nweze-Iloekwe – Enugu State Judiciary
Osinachi Donatus Nwoye – Private Practice, Enugu
Imo State
Blessing Nkechi Ezeala – Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja
Eunice Ugonma Fidelis-Iwuagwu – Private Practice, Port Harcourt
Chioma Angela Onuegbu – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
Izuchukwu Obiefuna Akwazie – Private Practice, Onitsha
Kaduna State
Shehu Umaru Adamu – Federal High Court, Bauchi
Fidelia Yakandi Akaahs – National Industrial Court, Kaduna
Yakusak Aduak – Nigerian Law School, Yola
Samson Irimiya Magaji – Ministry of Justice, Kaduna
Aliyu Lamido – Kaduna State Judiciary
Kwara State
Sulaiman Amida Hassan – Federal High Court, Abuja
Ronke Shakirat Olayide Odogun – Private Practice, Lagos
Ayoola Idowu Akande – Ministry of Justice, Kwara
Adebola Mercy Feyisayo – Kwara State Judiciary, Ilorin
Nuhu Abubakar Babatunde – Ministry of Justice, Kwara
Rasheed Omotayo Rasheedat – Court of Appeal, Kaduna
Nasarawa State
David Nguntsu Meshi – Private Practice, Nasarawa
Edward Liman Ali – Nasarawa Sharia Court of Appeal, Lafia
Suleiman Jibirl – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
Muhammed Bashiru Ramalan – National Agency for the Great Green Wall
Ibrahim Vera Eneabo – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja
Mohammed Ibrahim Buba – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
Shehu Othman Yakubu – Federal High Court, Sokoto
Abubakar Saidu Ibrahim – Private Practice, Bauchi
Anzewu Simon Aliyu – Private Practice, Nasarawa
Plateau State
Peres David Mann – Private Practice, Plateau
Judith Nendelmun Binjin-Eigege – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
Eunice Vou Dalyop – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
Simi Drenkat – National Industrial Court, Abuja
Sokoto State
Muhammad Barau Saidu – Sokoto Judicial Service Commission
Sanusi Musa Galadanchi – EFCC, Ibadan
Muhammad Marafa – High Court of Justice, Sokoto
Anas Aliyu Abbas – Private Practice, Sokoto
Taraba State
Ibrahim Aji Joshua – Federal High Court, Abuja
Mary Dynaise Gomwalk – Federal High Court, Abuja
Galumje Edingah – Federal High Court, Abuja
Punarimam Babatunde Balogun – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja
Zamfara State
Saidu Umar Gummi – High Court of Justice, Gusau
Musa Usman Abubakar – Baze University, Abuja
Hayatu Sani – NDIC, Abuja
Nasiru Ahmad – FIRS, Kaduna
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Yahaya Saidu – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
Aisha Salihu – Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja
Aisha Mohammed – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
Suleiman Onozasi Munirat – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
