The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, confirmed that the recommendation was made during the 110th NJC meeting held on January 13, 2026, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Justice Oyewole, who hails from Ila-Orangun, Osun State, was born on May 13, 1965, and will fill the South-West slot left vacant after the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Apart from the Supreme Court recommendation, the NJC also recommended the appointment of 27 new High Court Judges across various states, including: Borno and Plateau (six new judges each); Ekiti (five new judges); Niger and Delta (four new judges each); Benue and Taraba (one judge each).
In addition, six Kadis were recommended for appointment to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger and Taraba, while two judges were recommended for appointment to the Customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.
The NJC also recommended the extension of the appointment of Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, for three months. The council urged Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to promptly begin the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission for the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge, stressing the need for stability and judicial independence in the state.
In a significant development, the NJC cleared Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, the Chief Judge of Osun State, of all allegations regarding financial recklessness, diversion of funds, and judicial misconduct. This followed a comprehensive investigation by a three-member committee.
The Council also dismissed a petition against Justice Gentu E. Timi, a Delta State High Court judge, over allegations of professional misconduct in a chieftaincy dispute.
The NJC reversed the one-year suspension without pay imposed on Hon. Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division.
The NJC reviewed 39 petitions, dismissing 26 for lack of merit, recommending seven for further investigation, and issuing cautions to two judicial officers. One of the cautioned judges was reprimanded for failing to deliver a judgment within the constitutionally prescribed 90-day timeframe and for using inappropriate language in his response to the petition.
The NJC reiterated its earlier warning against the indiscriminate granting of ex parte orders and urged Heads of Court to exercise caution when assigning complex cases to newly appointed judges.
A committee was constituted by the NJC to consider the request for review submitted by nine dismissed judges from Imo State Judiciary.
However, the NJC declined to entertain a fresh petition against Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice I. O. Agugua, noting that similar issues had been previously addressed.