Court of Appeal Reshuffles Justices Across Divisions Nationwide

In a significant judicial reshuffle, Nigeria’s Court of Appeal has redeployed several justices to different divisions across the country, with the new postings scheduled to take effect from May 5, 2025. The decision, formalized in a list signed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, aims to bolster judicial efficiency and balance workloads across the divisions.

The latest posting list titled “Posting of Honourable Justices As At 22nd April, 2025,” provides a detailed breakdown of where each justice will serve. Notably, Justice Eberechi S. Nyesom-Wike, wife of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, remains assigned to the Abuja Division, dismissing speculations of her possible transfer.

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Court of Appeal Enhances Nationwide Judicial Balance Through Redeployments

Among the key highlights, Justice Y. Nimpar was posted to the Lagos Division as the Presiding Justice, supported by a robust team that includes Justices J. E. Ekanem, F. A. Ojo, D. Z. Senchi, P. A. Bassi, N. U. Okaisabor, P. T. Kwahar, Abdulazeez M. Anka, and U. Onwosi. In Kaduna Division, Justice O. A. Otisi assumes leadership as Presiding Justice, alongside Justices A. O. Obaseki-Adejumo, A. M. Bayero, S. O. Nwaka Gbagi, and M. S. Hassan.

For the Ibadan Division, Justice B. A. Georgewill will preside, joined by Justices Ebiowei Tobi, K. I. Amadi, B. F. Zubairu, and Fadawu Umaru. Meanwhile, the Enugu Division will have Justice J. O. K. Oyewole at the helm, with support from Justices M. Mustapha, I. W. Jauro, and Zainab B. Abubakar.

In Benin, Justice B. G. Sanga will serve as Presiding Justice, working with Justices Y. A. Bashir, L. A. Ganiyu, and Asma’u Ojuolape Akanbi. For the Jos Division, Justice M. O. Bolaji-Yusuf was appointed Presiding Justice, accompanied by Justices I. A. Andenyangtso, P. O. Affen, and A. A. Akinyemi.

Justice O. E. Williams-Dawodu will lead the Port Harcourt Division, joined by Justices M. I. Sirajo, H. A. Laja Balogun, and Ishaq M. Sani. In Abuja, Justice H. A. Barka takes charge as Presiding Justice, alongside Justices Eberechi S. Nyesom-Wike, B. B. Aliyu, A. I. Banjoko, A. B. Mohammed, O. E. Abang, D. U. Okorowo, and O. O. Oyewumi.

Kano Division will see Justice M. A. Danjuma as the Presiding Justice, with Justices B. M. Ugo, O. Goodluck, and A. R. Mohammed. At the Calabar Division, Justice U. Onyemenam will head the team, assisted by Justices M. Danjuma, L. B. Lawal-Akapo, and Eleojo Eneche.

In Ilorin Division, Justice R. M. Abdullahi assumes leadership with Justices G. O. Kolawole and Abdu Dogo. Owerri Division will be managed by Justice A. A. Wambai alongside Justices S. A. Bola, M. L. Abubakar, and Ntong F. Ntong.

Justice M. L. Shuaibu will serve as Presiding Justice in Sokoto, supported by Justices A. M. Talba, Abdullahi M. Liman, and Victoria T. Nwoye. In the Yola Division, Justice F. O. Oho will lead with Justices P. A. Mahmoud, O. A. Adegbehingbe, and N. O. Dimgba.

The Ekiti Division is headed by Justice I. O. Akeju with Justices A. M. Lamido and J. E. Inyang, while Akure Division welcomes Justice O. F. Omoleye as Presiding Justice, joined by Justices P. C. Obiorah and H. R. Shagari.

Justice T. O. Awotoye leads Makurdi Division, supported by Justices B. I. Gafai, A. Waziri, and N. I. Afolabi. In Asaba Division, Justice O. O. Daniel-Kalio will serve as the Presiding Justice, working with Justices J. G. Abundaga, U. A. Musale, A. M. Mainoma, and Olukayode A. Adeniyi.

Finally, in the Maiduguri Division, Justice A. A. B. Gumel will be Presiding Justice, assisted by Justices U. A. Ogakwu and R. O. Ayoola.

Interestingly, no justices have been assigned to the Awka and Gombe Divisions. Instead, appeals from Awka will now be heard in either Enugu or Asaba Divisions, while cases from Gombe will be directed to the Maiduguri Division.

In a bid to optimize operations, the new arrangement also specifies that justices of the Ilorin Division will sit for one week each month at the Ibadan Division. Similarly, justices from the Ekiti Division will sit for a week each month in Akure Division.

This strategic redeployment by the Court of Appeal is seen as an effort to strengthen the judiciary’s reach and address the uneven distribution of cases across the country. It marks another step towards ensuring timely and effective justice delivery, ahead of the anticipated increase in electoral and civil litigations in 2025 and beyond.