Jonathan Nominates Odili’s Wife, Others As Supreme Court Justices

Leadership (Abuja)

Uchenna Awom

4 May 2011

Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated the wife of former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, Justice Mary Odili, and two other Justices of the court of Appeal, N.S Ngwuta and O. Ariwoola to the Senate for their confirmation as Justices of the Supreme Court.

Until her nomination Justice Odili was a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Odili will represent South-East geo-political zone in the apex court even though she is married to a Southerner. She hails from Mbaise in Imo State.

Ngwuta, will represent South- East while Ariwoola represents the South-West.

In a letter to the Senate President and read on the floor of the Senate yesterday, Jonathan said the appointments were necessitated by the recent retirement from the service of Justices George Oguntade, James Ogebe and Niki Tobi and Francis Ogbuagu.

Jonathan said the appointments were predicated on the constitutional requirement that gave the president power to appoint a Justice of the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

Also, the President forwarded names of the chairman and members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the Senate for confirmation.

The list included Mohammed M. Bello, re-appointed Chairman, Abdullahi Muktar Mohammed, new full time member, Alhaji Yusuff Adebayo Ibrahim new full time member, Sheikih Adam A. Idoko re-appointed part time member, Alhaja Fatima Oyekan re-appointed part time member and Ahmed Efebeli re-appointed part time member.

Others are Sheik Musa Isa re-appointed part time member, Alhaji Ado Shinkafi re-appointed part time member and Hajiya Hannatu S. Birma re-appointed part time member.

Jonathan also sent a request to the Senate for the confirmation of the appointment of Lawal Abdullahi from Katsina State as a member of the Revenue Mobilisation. Allocation and Fiscal Commission for a first term of five years. Abdullahi’s nomination followed the resignation of the former occupant of the office.

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