ABUJA, September 20, 2025
The South East geopolitical zone has suffered another setback in federal judicial appointments as only 12 out of 62 candidates were shortlisted in the ongoing recruitment of Judges for the Federal High Courts.
According to the list released by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for claims and objections, three South East states—Abia, Enugu, and Imo – made the cut with just four nominees each.
This contrasts sharply with states such as Nasarawa, which secured eight slots; Kwara with six; and Kaduna with five. On the lower end, Oyo and Sokoto managed only two nominations each.
Below is the full shortlist published by the NJC:
Abia
1. Esowe-Osunwa Nneka Marilyn – Federal High Court, Abuja
2. Igboko Chinelo Conchita – Federal Ministry of Works (Legal Adviser’s Office), Lagos
3. Enyidiya Uma-Onwunta – High Court of Justice, Abia State
4. Uguru Eme Uguru – High Court of Justice, Abia State
Akwa Ibom
1. Kuyik Uduak Usoro – Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja
2. Ekaete Mercy Efobi – Federal High Court, Lagos Division
3. Kufre Ekpenyong Uduak – EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office
4. Mary Ukeje Emenike – High Court of Justice, Abia State
Cross River
1. Mercy Toney Ene – Cross River State Judiciary, Calabar
2. Ekeng Bassey Kooffreh – Private Practice, Calabar
3. Joy Bassey Ikpeme – Ministry of Justice, Calabar
4. Nkechi Yvonne Usani – Cross River State Customary Court of Appeal, Calabar
Enugu
1. Ifeoma Chinyere Uzoefuna – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
2. Chika Vivienne Nnamani – National Counter Terrorism Centre, Abuja
3. Nnesochi Nweze-Iloekwe – Enugu State Judiciary, Enugu
4. Osinachi Donatus Nwoye – Private Practice, Enugu
Imo
1. Blessing Nkechi Ezeala – Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja
2. Eunice Ugonma Fidelis-Iwuagwu – Private Practice, Port Harcourt
3. Chioma Angela Onuegbu – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
4. Izuchukwu Obiefuna Akwazie – Private Practice, Onitsha, Anambra State
Kaduna
1. Shehu Umaru Adamu – Federal High Court, Bauchi Division
2. Fidelia Yakandi Akaahs – National Industrial Court, Kaduna Division
3. Yakusak Aduak – Nigerian Law School, Yola Campus
4. Samson Irimiya Magaji – Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State
5. Aliyu Lamido – Kaduna State Judiciary, Kaduna
Kwara
1. Sulaiman Amida Hassan – Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja
2. Ronke Shakirat Olayide Odogun – Private Practice, Lagos
3. Ayoola Idowu Akande – Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
4. Adebola Mercy Feyisayo (Mrs) – Kwara State Judiciary, Ilorin
5. Nuhu Abubakar Babatunde – Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
6. Rasheed Omotayo Rasheedat – Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division
Nasarawa
1. David Nguntsu Meshi – Private Practice, Nasarawa State
2. Edward Liman Ali – Nasarawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, Lafia
3. Suleiman Jibirl – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
4. Muhammed Bashiru Ramalan – National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Abuja
5. Ibrahim Vera Eneabo – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja
6. Mohammed Ibrahim Buba – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
7. Shehu Othman Yakubu – Federal High Court, Sokoto Division
8. Abubakar Saidu Ibrahim – Private Practice, Bauchi State
9. Anzewu Simon Aliyu – Private Practice, Nasarawa State
Plateau
1. Peres David Mann – Private Practice, Plateau State
2. Judith Nendelmun Binjin-Eigege – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
3. Eunice Vou Dalyop – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
4. Simi Drenkat – National Industrial Court, Abuja
Sokoto
1. Muhammad Barau Saidu – Sokoto State Judicial Service Commission, Sokoto
2. Sanusi Musa Galadanchi – EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office
Oyo
1. Muhammad Marafa – High Court of Justice, Sokoto State
2. Anas Aliyu Abbas – Private Practice, Sokoto State
Taraba
1. Ibrahim Aji Joshua – Federal High Court, Abuja
2. Mary Dynaise Gomwalk – Federal High Court, Abuja
3. Galumje Edingah – Federal High Court, Abuja
4. Punarimam Babatunde Balogun (nee Yakubu) – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja
Zamfara
1. Saidu Umar Gummi – High Court of Justice, Gusau
2. Musa Usman Abubakar – Baze University, Abuja
3. Hayatu Sani – Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company, Abuja
4. Nasiru Ahmad – Federal Inland Revenue Service, Kaduna
FCT
1. Yahaya Saidu – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
2. Aisha Salihu – Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja
3. Aisha Mohammed – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
4. Suleiman Onozasi Munirat – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
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