By John Umeh
The Nigerian Senate has given its approval for the appointment of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court, completing the final legislative step required for his elevation to the apex court.
The confirmation was secured on Tuesday, February 3, after lawmakers adopted a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central), presented the findings to the chamber, urging senators to endorse the nomination following the committee’s review process.
In his presentation, Adegbonmire formally moved that the Senate accept and approve the committee’s recommendation on Justice Oyewole’s nomination to the Supreme Court bench—a motion that was subsequently adopted without objection.
Justice Oyewole’s confirmation followed a request from President Bola Tinubu, who had earlier forwarded his name to the National Assembly for legislative consent. The president’s letter, which cited constitutional provisions governing judicial appointments, was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the correspondence, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the nominee and appealed to the Senate for prompt consideration of the request, in line with Section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
After the letter was read, Akpabio referred the matter to the Judiciary Committee for screening and evaluation. The committee was mandated to expedite its assignment and report back to the chamber—a task that ultimately led to the Senate’s approval of the nomination.
With the confirmation concluded, Justice Oyewole is set to formally take his place on the Supreme Court of Nigeria, strengthening the composition of the nation’s highest judicial body.
