Nine New Justices Appointed to Appeal Court – On September 20th, the Court of Appeal will witness a significant expansion as nine new Justices are set to join its ranks. This momentous occasion will be officiated by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will administer the oath of office to the incoming Justices.
However, as the Court of Appeal grows, the Supreme Court will see a reduction in its number of Justices. With the impending retirement of Justice Amina Augie on September 21st, the Supreme Court will be left with 11 Justices, a decrease from the 21 stipulated in the Constitution.
Dr. Festus Akande, the Supreme Court’s Director of Press and Information, has confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony for the new Justices will take place at 11:00 am in the Main Court auditorium of the Supreme Court.
Among the distinguished Justices joining the Court of Appeal are:
- Justice Hannatu Azumi Laja-Balogun from Kaduna State, who began her judicial journey as a High Court Judge on May 24th, 1999.
- Justice Binta Fatima Zubairu, also from Kaduna State, appointed as a High Court Judge on October 31st, 2001.
- Justice Peter Chudi Obiora of Anambra State, who took his oath as a High Court Judge on January 17th, 2005.
Other notable mentions include Justices Okon Efreti Abang, Asma’u Musa Mainoma, Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu, Jane Esienanwan lyang, Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, and Paul Ahmed Bassi, all of whom have made significant contributions to the judiciary in their respective states.
As we welcome these new Justices, we also bid farewell to Justice Amina Adamu Augie. Her valedictory court session was postponed due to the annual court vacation, which concluded on September 15th, 2023. Justice Augie, who was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court on November 7th, 2016, boasts an illustrious career. She graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Law from the University of Ife (now known as Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977 and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year.
With Justice Augie’s retirement, the Supreme Court faces a new chapter with its remaining 11 Justices. As the judiciary evolves, we anticipate the continued upholding of justice and the rule of law in Nigeria.