The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, completing the constitutional process for his elevation to the apex court.
The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central).
Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Adegbonmire urged the Senate to adopt its findings, formally moving “that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the confirmation of the nomination of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
The committee’s recommendation was subsequently adopted by the Senate, leading to Justice Oyewole’s confirmation.
Justice Oyewole’s nomination was forwarded to the National Assembly last week by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, President Tinubu cited Section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), requesting the Senate’s confirmation of the appointment. The President expressed confidence in the nominee and urged the Senate to consider the request expeditiously.
Following the reading of the presidential communication, Senator Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report, a process that culminated in Tuesday’s confirmation.
With the Senate’s approval, Justice Oyewole is set to assume duties at the Supreme Court, strengthening the bench of Nigeria’s highest court.
