The National Judicial Council (NJC), on Sunday, said it neither confirmed nor dismissed recent reports that the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) had recommended to it, the list of 22 Court of Appeal Justices for elevation to the Supreme Court Bench.
The NJC was reacting to reports credited to it in the social media that it was not aware or did not receive nomination list from the FJSC in respect of vacancies in the Supreme Court Bench.
Barrister Soji Oye, Director of Information, NJC, said he never had discussion with anybody regarding receiving or not receiving the list of 22 Justices recommended by the Federal Judicial Service Commission to the NJC.
Oye described the social media reports on the issue as a deliberate handiwork of mischief-makers.
Oye insisted that report on such a matter is always through an official press statement from the NJC, via his office.
The NJC Spokesperson warned against unverified reports circulating on social media regarding Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.
Oye insisted that social media operators should always get their information from rightful sources so as not to mis-inform the general public on Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.
Recall that there were reports that the FJSC had released 22 names for NJC’s consideration to fill vacancies at the Supreme Court bench.
Based on the reduction in the number of Justices of the apex court to 10, due to retirement and deaths, it was learnt that the FJSC subsequently submitted a shortlist of 22 names to the NJC to address the vacant positions.
