In a historic development, Honorable Justice Jummai Chundung Sankey has been elevated to the esteemed position of First Justice of the Supreme Court from Plateau State. This significant promotion marks her as a distinguished and senior figure within the judiciary.
Hailing from Jos, Plateau State, Justice Jummai Chundung Sankey attended the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos State, from 1979 to 1980. Her journey in the legal field saw her appointed as a judge of the Plateau State High Court in 1993.
Justice Sankey is among the eleven justices of the Court of Appeal who recently received recommendations for elevation to the Supreme Court from the National Judicial Council (NJC). The NJC, in its 104th meeting on December 6, 2023, deliberated on the list of candidates presented by its interview committee, ultimately endorsing eleven justices for elevation.
The Supreme Court had experienced a depletion in its ranks, falling below the constitutionally mandated 21 justices due to retirements and deaths over the years. Among the distinguished figures recommended for elevation, Justice Haruna Tsammani stands out. He notably presided over the three-man election petition tribunal that heard the legal challenge to the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last general election in Nigeria.
The Director of Information of the National Judicial Council, Barrister Soji Oye, confirmed the NJC’s recommendation, which also included the appointment of one justice from the Court of Appeal, six heads of courts, and 26 other judicial officers. The statement disclosed that the successful justices, in addition to Justice Jummai Chundung Sankey and Justice Haruna Tsammani, include Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa, Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein, Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya, Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru, Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur, Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar, and Justice Mohammed Baba Idris.
The statement emphasized that all recommended candidates to the Supreme Court Bench would be sworn in after the approval of their recommendation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent confirmation of their appointment by the Senate. Likewise, the heads of court recommended will be sworn in upon the approval of their appointment by their respective state governors and confirmation by their State Houses of Assembly. This momentous announcement signals a new chapter in the judiciary, with Justice Jummai Chundung Sankey making history as the First Justice of the Supreme Court from Plateau State.