Social Media reports on Justices nomination list, ‘mischief’, says NJC

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has disowned reports credited to it in the social media that it was not aware or did not receive nomination list for Supreme Court vacancies from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
The Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye, on Sunday, said that he never had discussion with anybody regarding receiving or not receiving the list of Justices nominees from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC)
He described the social media reports on the matter as deliberate handiwork of mischief -makers, insisting that reports on such matters are always by official press statement from the Council through his office.
The NJC Spokesperson cautioned against unverified reports circulating on social media regarding Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.
It will be recalled that there were reports stating that the FJSC released 22 names for NJC’s consideration to fill vacancies at the Apex Court bench.
The nomination reportedly includes regional distribution of candidates across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
According to the report, the nomination of Justices for the bench followed complaints in
September that the Supreme Court was operating with only 10 out of its constitutional strength of 21 Justices.
Based on the depletions of Justices due to retirement and deaths, it was reported that the FJSC subsequently submitted a shortlist to address the vacant positions.
Oye warned that the media especially, social media operators should always get their information rightful source so as not to mis-inform the general public on Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.