The number of Supreme Court justices has dropped to 10, but the situation may soon change.
It could have its full complement of 21 Justices before the end of next month.
The Nation learnt that the authorities have resolved to fast-track the ongoing process of appointing 11 new justices.
The apex court currently has 11 Justices, which will reduce to 10 on Friday when Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad retires.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola had in June signified the commencement of a fresh process to appoint 11 Justices.
In a notice he issued to that effect, Ariwoola requested nominations from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), heads of courts and Justices of the Supreme Court.
A source at the National Judicial Council (NJC) said the process would be concluded before the end of next month as the council has resolved to speed up the process.
He said the NJC was currently awaiting the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) to conclude the screening and forward the names of the successful candidates to the NJC.
“I assure you that the NJC is committed to fast-tracking the process of making recommendations to the President once the FJSC sends in the names of successful candidates.
“The NJC is aware of the situation at the Supreme Court and was willing to ensure that the ongoing process of appointing 11 Justices for the court is completed with dispatch.
“Once the FJSC sends in its list, the NJC will not waste time given the concern being expressed by many about the state of affairs at the Supreme Court.
“I am hopeful that the process will be rounded off before the end of next month,” the source said.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Press and Information at the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, said a valedictory court service has been scheduled for Friday in honour of Justice Muhammad.
The statement reads: “The valedictory court session to mark the retirement of Justice Musa Dattijio Muhammad from the Supreme Court Bench comes up on Friday, 27th October 2023 at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at 10:00 am
“The special court session is to be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who will customarily pay tribute to Justice Musa Dattijo alongside other major stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector.”
Justice Muhammad, who hails from Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, was born on October 27, 1953 in Minna.
He obtained a degree in Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1977, and a master’s in law from Warwick University in 1983.
