The Court of Appeal of Nigeria has announced a major reshuffle of its Justices across divisions nationwide, with the new postings set to take effect by May 5, 2025.
The redeployment exercise, detailed in a document titled “Posting of Honourable Justices As At 22nd April, 2025” and signed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M. B. Dongban-Mensem, was obtained on Monday.
According to the list, Hon. Justice Y. Nimpar has been appointed Presiding Justice of the Lagos Division, alongside Hon. 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, Hon. Justice O. A. Otisi will serve as the Presiding Justice, supported by Justices A. O. Obaseki-Adejumo, A. M. Bayero, S. O. Nwaka Gbagi, and M. S. Hassan.
The Ibadan Division will be headed by Hon. Justice B. A. Georgewill, alongside Justices Ebiowei Tobi, K. I. Amadi, B. F. Zubairu, and Fadawu Umaru, while Hon. Justice J. O. K. Oyewole will preside over the Enugu Division, with Justices M. Mustapha, I. W. Jauro, and Zainab B. Abubakar.
Hon. Justice B. G. Sanga was posted to Benin Division as Presiding Justice, supported by Justices Y. A. Bashir, L. A. Ganiyu, and Asma’u Ojuolape Akanbi.
Other key postings include:
Jos Division: Presiding Justice M. O. Bolaji-Yusuf
Port Harcourt Division: Presiding Justice O. E. Williams-Dawodu
Abuja Division: Presiding Justice H. A. Barka, with Justice Eberechi S. Nyesom-Wike, wife of the FCT Minister, among those retained.
Justice Eberechi Wike’s retention in Abuja is notable given her political prominence.
In the Kano Division, Hon. Justice M. A. Danjuma was appointed as Presiding Justice, while Hon. Justice U. Onyemenam will head the Calabar Division.
Similarly, the Ilorin, Owerri, Sokoto, Yola, Ekiti, Akure, Makurdi, Asaba, and Maiduguri divisions all received new presiding justices and additional judicial reinforcements.
However, the Awka and Gombe Divisions were left without any sitting Justices. Appeals from Awka will now be heard in either Enugu or Asaba Divisions, while those from Gombe will be taken up in the Maiduguri Division.
The posting list also directs that:
Justices of the Ilorin Division will sit one week each month in the Ibadan Division.
Justices of the Ekiti Division will sit one week each month in the Akure Division.
It was further clarified that the latest postings do not affect special panels, which will continue as scheduled.
Justices are mandated to assume duties in their newly assigned divisions by May 5, 2025.
