The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, sealing his elevation to the apex court after a successful screening exercise.
The confirmation followed the Senate’s consideration and adoption 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 on the floor of the Red Chamber, Adegbonmire urged lawmakers to approve the nomination of Oyewole, who until his elevation was a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
He formally moved 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 as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
The confirmation was based on a request earlier forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, in accordance with Section 231(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Tinubu’s letter, which was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stated: “Pursuant to Section 231 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Hon. Justice Oyewole Kayode as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Following the reading of the correspondence last Tuesday, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Judiciary Committee for screening and report, a process that culminated in Tuesday’s confirmation.
With the Senate’s approval, Justice Oyewole now formally takes his place on the bench of Nigeria’s highest court.
