Nigeria’s Supreme Court Faces Drastic Reduction in Number of Justices
Nigeria’s Supreme Court is bracing for a significant reduction in the number of justices, falling far short of its required full complement of 21. Currently numbering 11, the Supreme Court’s Justices will dwindle to 10 as another justice retires on October 27.
This marks a substantial decline over three years, from 20 justices in 2019 to 14 in June 2022, due to the abrupt resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad. The trend continues with the impending retirement of Musa Dattijo Muhammad, the second-most senior judge on the bench.
Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s forthcoming retirement will take the Supreme Court’s justices to an all-time low of 10. A statement by the Supreme Court’s Director of Press and Information, Festus Akande, notes that Mr. Muhammad reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on October 27.
A valedictory court session is scheduled to commemorate his departure on Friday, October 27, presided over by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.
The Supreme Court’s bench recently faced diminishing numbers, with Amina Augie’s retirement in September reducing it to 11 justices following the sudden passing of Centus Nweze in July.
In June, the Chief Justice of Nigeria announced 10 openings aimed at restoring the court’s full complement of 21 justices. However, with Justice Muhammad’s retirement, the court will still have 11 vacancies to fill.
A reliable source at the National Judicial Council (NJC), the statutory body responsible for appointing and overseeing judges in Nigeria, has stated that the process of filling these 10 vacancies at the Supreme Court is in advanced stages.
Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s exit leaves the Supreme Court bench composed of Olukayode Ariwoola (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Inyang Okoro, Uwani Abba-Aji, and Lawal Garba. The remaining justices include Helen Ogunwumiju, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Agim.
A brief profile of Mr. Muhammad is provided by the Supreme Court, noting that he began his legal career in 1977 after being called to the Nigerian Bar, having obtained a law degree from Ahmadu Bello University.
Justice Musa Dattijo, hailing from Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, has had a distinguished legal career marked by dedication and hard work. He was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court on July 10, 2012, after serving meritoriously in various divisions of the Court of Appeal.
With Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s retirement, the Supreme Court of Nigeria now operates with 10 Justices, facing the task of restoring its full complement in the near future.
Source: Premium Times
