The Senate has confirmed three women among the 11 Supreme Court justices sent by President Bola Tinubu.
The female Supreme Court Justices who were on Thursday confirmed are: Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, (North Central); Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa, (South East) and Hon. Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East).
The rest are Justice Haruna Tsammani (North-East); Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah(North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (North-West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North-West) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).
The chairman of the committee, Senator Tahir Monguno, while presenting his panel report, said the nominees possessed the requisite qualifications and experience to sit on the Supreme Court bench, adding that there were no petitions against them.
He, therefore, recommended their confirmation.
Senators, who spoke before the confirmation, had expressed concern over the delay in the appointment of justices for the Supreme Court bench.
Senator Seriake Dickson canvassed that in the event of subsequent vacancies, a provision for their immediate replacement should be made.
He said, “Anytime these vacancies occur, they should be filled immediately. I want to draw that to the attention of the President. There shouldn’t be delay so that we don’t become a laughing stock.”
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said it was important to immediately screen and appoint Justices whenever there was a vacancy on the apex court bench.
Senator Orji Kalu stressed that the funds allocated to the Supreme Court in the 2024 budget be reviewed upwards to ensure its effectiveness.
He said, “The Senate should look at the budget of the Judiciary because even the state courts are in a mess. How can they give good justice? This is not the way it was before; we were doing better.”
Their confirmation was sequel to a nomination letter received from President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday requesting the screening and confirmation of the Justices.
