The National Judicial Council (NJC) disclosed that it had received notifications concerning the retirement of six judicial officers and the deaths of nine others across federal and state courts.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following the council’s 112th meeting held on 3 November 2026.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
According to the council, the notices involved judges from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, various State High Courts and Customary Courts of Appeal.
TWO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES TO RETIRE
Among the retirement notices received by the NJC were those of two Supreme Court justices, whose departures will leave the apex court short of its constitutionally prescribed number of 21 justices.
Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, who joined the Supreme Court in November 2020, retired on 29 September 2026.
Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, who was elevated to the Supreme Court in January 2019, is expected to retire on Saturday, 7 November 2026.
Their departures will reduce the number of serving Supreme Court justices to 19, leaving two vacancies on the bench.
The court had only regained its full complement of 21 justices in February 2026 following the inauguration of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.
Other retirement notices acknowledged by the NJC included that of Justice O. F. Omoleye of the Court of Appeal, who retired on 6 October.
The council also received notifications concerning Justice Ogechi Okehielem of the Abia State High Court, who voluntarily retired on 15 September, and Justice Theresa Isidore Obot of the Akwa Ibom State High Court, whose voluntary retirement is scheduled for 30 December.
Justice Munir Muhammad Ladan of the Kaduna State High Court is also expected to retire voluntarily on 31 December.
NJC CONFIRMS DEATHS OF NINE JUDGES
The council further acknowledged the deaths of nine judicial officers who passed away between 1 May and 26 September 2026.
Those listed include Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Kano Division; Sambo Sammy Daka of the Kaduna State High Court; Josephine Efunkumbi Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court; and Musa Mohammed Dallah of the Nasarawa State High Court.
Others are Bello Muhammed Shinkafi of the Zamfara State High Court, Edem Nyong Okokon of the Cross River State High Court, Aliyu Mani Yauri of the Kebbi State Sharia Court of Appeal, Dorothy Sim Inwulale of the Kaduna State Customary Court of Appeal, and Legor Torbira Senewo of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal.
COUNCIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO RETIRED JUDGES
The NJC expressed appreciation to the retired and retiring judicial officers for their contributions and dedicated service to the judiciary and the country.
It also extended condolences to the families of the deceased judges, the judiciary and the wider Nigerian legal community, while praying for the peaceful repose of their souls.
SUPREME COURT’S STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN FULL STRENGTH
Nigeria’s Constitution provides for a Supreme Court comprising 21 justices. However, the court struggled for decades to maintain its full complement because of retirements, deaths, delays in judicial appointments and what had been described as insufficient commitment from the executive arm of government.
The situation became particularly concerning in 2023 when the number of serving justices dropped to an all-time low of 10.
The court eventually attained its full strength for the first time in its history on 26 February 2024, following the elevation of 11 justices in a single exercise.
However, the number dropped to 20 in August 2024 after the retirement of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.
The appointment of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in February 2026 subsequently restored the court to its full complement of 21 justices.
At Justice Oyewole’s inauguration on 25 February, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun described the achievement as a significant milestone for the judiciary.
She noted that having a full complement of justices would improve the court’s ability to constitute panels, manage its workload efficiently and strengthen the stability of Nigeria’s legal system.
With the latest retirement notices, however, the Supreme Court is once again facing a reduction in its judicial strength.
