KEY POINTS

• Senate has confirmed Justice Joseph Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

• The approval followed a positive report from the Senate Committee on Judiciary after screening.

• President Tinubu submitted the nomination in line with constitutional provisions requiring Senate confirmation.

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, following the consideration and adoption of a report by its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The confirmation came after a plenary session in which lawmakers reviewed the committee’s findings on the nomination and unanimously endorsed the recommendation for approval.

Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman of the panel, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central), urged his colleagues to approve Justice Oyewole’s elevation to the apex court.

Adegbonmire noted that Oyewole is currently a Justice of the Court of Appeal and was found to be qualified, experienced, and fit for the position after undergoing the required screening.

He formally moved that the Senate receive and consider the committee’s report on the confirmation of Justice Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court.

Nomination Rooted in Constitutional Provision

Justice Oyewole’s nomination was earlier forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with Section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires legislative approval for appointments to the Supreme Court.

The letter from the president was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred the request to the Judiciary Committee for screening and evaluation.

Following the committee’s review and presentation of its report, the Senate adopted the recommendations and confirmed Justice Oyewole’s appointment without objection.

The confirmation adds to the bench of the Supreme Court at a time when concerns about workload and judicial capacity continue to feature prominently in discussions on Nigeria’s justice sector.