The Senate on Thursday 17^th November, 2016 confirmed the nomination and appointment of Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, JCA (North Central) and Hon. Justice Paul Adamu Galinje, JCA (North East) as Justices of the Supreme Court. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had forwarded both names to the Senate in October, 2016 for confirmation. The request of the President was then referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative action.

Presenting the Committee’s report, Sen. David Umaru (APC:Niger) said that both Honourable Justices had been screened and satisfied the Committee of their integrity, suitability, competence, exposure, experience, performance and qualification and had been found to be fit and proper for appointment.

He added that the composition of the Supreme Court reflected the Federal Character principle enshrined in section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Following Senate’s confirmation of the Justices, the geo-political representation of Justices of the Supreme Court is now as follows:

South East       -3                                             North East      – 3

South West     -3                                             North West     -3

South South    -2                                             North Central  -3