JUST IN: Senate Confirms Justice Joseph Oyewole as Supreme Court Judge

The Senate approved the appointment of Justice Joseph Oyewole as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Tuesday.

The confirmation followed consideration and adoption of the report from the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central).

Presenting the committee’s findings, Adegbonmire urged the Senate to approve Justice Oyewole’s nomination, noting that he currently serves as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

He said, “That the Senate do Receive and Consider the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters on the confirmation of the nomination of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

President Bola Tinubu had earlier forwarded a request to the Senate seeking legislative approval for Oyewole’s elevation to the apex court, in line with Section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the presidential letter during plenary, which stated:

“Pursuant to Section 231 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Hon. Justice Oyewole Kayode as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

After the letter was read, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Judiciary Committee for screening. The committee’s report ultimately led to the Senate’s approval of Justice Oyewole on Tuesday.