The National Judicial Council (NJC) has refuted claims circulating on social media that it was unaware of or did not receive a nomination list for Supreme Court vacancies from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
Barrister Soji Oye, the Director of Information, clarified on Sunday that the Council had not discussed the list of Justice-nominees with anyone. He emphasized that the social media reports were the deliberate handiwork of mischief-makers.
According to Oye, official press statements from the Council through his office are the only reliable source of information on such matters. He cautioned against unverified reports circulating on social media regarding Supreme Court nominations and the process for filling vacancies on the bench.
Earlier reports indicated that the FJSC released 22 names for consideration by the NJC to fill vacancies at the Apex Court bench. The nomination reportedly included the regional distribution of candidates across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
It was revealed that the nomination of Justices for the bench came after concerns were raised in September about the Supreme Court operating with only 10 out of its constitutional strength of 21 Justices. This shortage was attributed to retirements and deaths, prompting the FJSC to submit a shortlist to address the vacant positions.
Oye cautioned the media, especially social media operators, to verify information from credible sources and desist from misinforming the general public on Supreme Court nominations and the process for filling vacancies on the bench.
