By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
21- SEPT- 2025

The Federal High Court judicial recruitment shortlist has been released, featuring 62 nominees across the federation, and the South East has secured 12 slots. The distribution, however, reflects varying levels of representation among states, sparking conversations about balance and fairness.

According to the provisional list published for claims and objections, Abia, Enugu, and Imo States each secured four nominations. By contrast, Nasarawa State produced the highest number with eight, followed by Kwara with six and Kaduna with five. States such as Oyo and Sokoto were allocated just two each.

The nominees were drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, including the Federal and State Judiciaries, Ministries of Justice, the EFCC, private legal practice, and academic institutions.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

ABIA
1. Esowe-Osunwa Nneka Marilyn – Federal High Court, Abuja
2 . Igboko Chinelo Conchita – Federal Ministry of Works (Legal Adviser’s Office), Lagos
3 . Enyidiya Uma-Onwunta – High Court of Justice, Abia State
4. Uguru Eme Uguru – High Court of Justice, Abia State

AKWA IBOM
1. Kuyik Uduak Usoro – Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja
2. Ekaete Mercy Efobi – Federal High Court, Lagos Division
3 . Kufre Ekpenyong Uduak – EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office
4 . Mary Ukeje Emenike – High Court of Justice, Abia State

CROSS RIVER
1. Mercy Toney Ene – Cross River State Judiciary, Calabar
2 . Ekeng Bassey Kooffreh – Private Practice, Calabar
3. Joy Bassey Ikpeme – Ministry of Justice, Calabar
4. Nkechi Yvonne Usani – Cross River State Customary Court of Appeal, Calabar

ENUGU
1 . Ifeoma Chinyere Uzoefuna – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
2 . Chika Vivienne Nnamani – National Counter Terrorism Centre, Abuja
3 . Nnesochi Nweze-Iloekwe – Enugu State Judiciary, Enugu
4 . Osinachi Donatus Nwoye – Private Practice, Enugu

IMO
1 . Blessing Nkechi Ezeala – Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja
2 . Eunice Ugonma Fidelis-Iwuagwu – Private Practice, Port Harcourt
3 . Chioma Angela Onuegbu – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
4. Izuchukwu Obiefuna Akwazie – Private Practice, Onitsha, Anambra State

KADUNA

1 . Shehu Umaru Adamu – Federal High Court, Bauchi Division
2 . Fidelia Yakandi Akaahs – National Industrial Court, Kaduna Division
3. Yakusak Aduak – Nigerian Law School, Yola Campus
4 . Samson Irimiya Magaji – Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State
5. Aliyu Lamido – Kaduna State Judiciary, Kaduna

KWARA
1 . Sulaiman Amida Hassan – Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja
2 . Ronke Shakirat Olayide Odogun – Private Practice, Lagos
3 . Ayoola Idowu Akande – Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
4 . Adebola Mercy Feyisayo (Mrs) – Kwara State Judiciary, Ilorin
5 . Nuhu Abubakar Babatunde – Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
6 . Rasheed Omotayo Rasheedat – Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division

NASARAWA

1. David Nguntsu Meshi – Private Practice, Nasarawa State
2. Edward Liman Ali – Nasarawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, Lafia
3 . Suleiman Jibirl – Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja
4. Muhammed Bashiru Ramalan – National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Abuja
5. Ibrahim Vera Eneabo – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja
6. Mohammed Ibrahim Buba – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
7. Shehu Othman Yakubu – Federal High Court, Sokoto Division
8 . Abubakar Saidu Ibrahim – Private Practice, Bauchi State
9 . Anzewu Simon Aliyu – Private Practice, Nasarawa State

PLATEAU

1 . Peres David Mann – Private Practice, Plateau State
2. Judith Nendelmun Binjin-Eigege – National Judicial Institute, Abuja
3 . Eunice Vou Dalyop – EFCC Headquarters, Abuja
4. Simi Drenkat – National Industrial Court, Abuja

SOKOTO

1 . Muhammad Barau Saidu – Sokoto State Judicial Service Commission, Sokoto
2 . Sanusi Musa Galadanchi – EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office

OYO
1 . Muhammad Marafa – High Court of Justice, Sokoto State
2. Anas Aliyu Abbas – Private Practice, Sokoto State

TARABA
1 . Ibrahim Aji Joshua – Federal High Court, Abuja
2 . Mary Dynaise Gomwalk – Federal High Court, Abuja
3 . Galumje Edingah – Federal High Court, Abuja
4 . Punarimam Babatunde Balogun (nee Yakubu) – High Court of Justice, FCT-Abuja

ZAMFARA

1. Saidu Umar Gummi – High Court of Justice, Gusau
2. Musa Usman Abubakar – Baze University, Abuja
3. Hayatu Sani – Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company, Abuja
4. Nasiru Ahmad – Federal Inland Revenue Service, Kaduna

FCT (ABUJA)

1 . Yahaya Saidu – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
2 . Aisha Salihu – Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja
3 . Aisha Mohammed – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja
4 . Suleiman Onozasi Munirat – FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja

The South East’s representation—12 nominees across three states—marks a significant presence but also highlights imbalances when compared to states like Nasarawa and Kwara. Legal observers argue that while merit must remain the basis for judicial appointments, the principle of federal character requires fairer distribution.

The list remains open for claims and objections, giving room for stakeholders to challenge or validate the process before final ratification. The outcome will not only affect the immediate judicial workforce but also shape perceptions of equity and fairness within Nigeria’s legal system.