A human rights lawyer and former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commissioner (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has shared a list of 22 candidates recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for elevation to the Court of Appeal on his Twitter (formerly known as X) platform. TheNigerialawyer reports

Among the recommended candidates is Mrs. Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette, wife of the former Governor of Rivers State.

No. Honorable Justice
1. Kwahar Polycarp Terna
2. Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola
3. Eleojo Eneche
4. Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf
5. Abdullahi Muhammad Liman
6. Abdu Dogo
7. Fadawu Umaru
8. Ishaq Mohammed Sani
9. Zainab Bage Abubakar
10. Abdulazeez M. Z. Anka
11. Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba
12. Nwoye Victoria Toochukwu
13. Uwabunkeonye Onwosi
14. Okorowo Donatus Uwaezuoke
15. Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor
16. Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi
17. Ntong Festus Ntong
18. Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette
19. Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo
20. Akinyemi Abiodun Azeem
21. Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola
22. Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi

However, sources working with the NJC have informed TheNigeriaLawyer that not all the names on the list shared by Odinkalu made it through the final selection process. The sources revealed that the NJC has just concluded their meeting, and the official list of recommended candidates is expected to be released either today or by Monday at the latest.

This development comes after an earlier report by TheNigeriaLawyer, which disclosed that the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ariwoola, had initially shortlisted 44 candidates from a pool of 89 names for elevation to the Court of Appeal. The shortlisted candidates were further categorized into a priority list of 22 names and a reserve list of an additional 22 names.

The interview process for the shortlisted candidates was scheduled to begin on April 24, Wednesday, with the interview committee chaired by Hon. Justice Kekere-Ekun, J. SC, the second-in-command at the NJC. Following the completion of the interviews, the committee was tasked with compiling a comprehensive report to be presented to the NJC during a plenary session.

TheNigerialawyer also learnt that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has finally removed the name of Amina Bello, the wife of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, from the list of nominees for appointment as judges of the High Court of Kogi State. This development follows a lawsuit by seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) against the NJC and the Kogi State government for shortlisting Amina for appointment to the state’s judiciary.

While the list shared by Odinkalu has generated significant interest and discussion, the final decision on the recommended candidates lies with the NJC. The official list, expected to be released, will provide clarity on the successful candidates recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal.