Abuja, December 24, 2025
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has announced plans to interview 28 shortlisted candidates for appointment to the Federal High Court in the second week of January 2026. The exercise aims to fill 14 judicial vacancies across the country.
A panel, to be chaired by a senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will oversee the interviews. The panel will also include the current President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a former NBA President.
The vacancies span 12 states — Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Zamfara — and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), each with one seat. Nasarawa State stands out with two vacancies, bringing the total candidates to four for that state.
Renowned human rights expert and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, shared the details via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, emphasizing the need for transparency in judicial appointments.
“Appointment to the bench of the Federal High Court is a high constitutional office of consequence. Citizens need to know who is being considered and what is going on,” Odinkalu stated. “The era of doing judicial appointments like it is a secret cult should be over. The courts belong to the people and should account to the people.”
The shortlisted candidates are:
- Abia State: Esohe-Osunwa Nneka Marilyn; Igboko Chinelo Conchita
- Akwa Ibom State: Kuyak Uduak Usoro; Mary Ukeje-Emenike
- Cross River State: Joy Bassey Ikpeme; Nkechi Yvonne Usani
- Enugu State: Osinachi Donatus Nwoye; Ifeoma Chinyere Uzoefuna
- Imo State: Chioma Angela Onuegbu; Eunice Ugonna Fidelis-Iwuagwu
- Kaduna State: Fidelis Yakandi Akaahs; Shehu Umaru Adamu
- Kwara State: Suleiman Amida Hassan; Rasheed Omotayo Rasheedat
- Nasarawa State: Muhammed Babhiru Ramalan; Ibrahim Vera Eneabo; Mohammed Ibrahim Buba; Anzewu Simon Aliyu
- Plateau State: Judith Nenedelmum Binjin-Eigege; Peres David Mann
- Sokoto State: Muhammed Marafa; Muhammed Barau Saidu
- Taraba State: Galumje Edingah; Ibrahim Aji Joshua
- Zamfara State: Nasiru Ahmad; Musa Usman Abubakar
- Federal Capital Territory: Aisha Salihu; Yahaya Saidu
Prof. Odinkalu urged members of the public with relevant information or concerns about the candidates or the process to formally reach out to the NJC.
The Federal High Court plays a vital role in Nigeria’s judicial system, handling key issues in revenue, customs, taxation, banking, intellectual property, and federal agencies. Observers say that public confidence and transparency in the appointment process are crucial to strengthening the judiciary’s independence and integrity.
