Eleven new justices are set to be sworn into the Supreme Court of Nigeria next week, bringing the court to its full complement of 21 justices for the first time in its history.

The appointments were approved by the Senate in December 2023, at the request of President Bola Tinubu.

Reporter reports that the new justices cut across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria, and their appointments are seen as an effort to improve the diversity of the court.

The Justices billed for swearing-in are:

Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, OFR- North Central

Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah -North Central

Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris -North Central

Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani -North East

Hon. Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur- North West

Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar -North West

Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa – South East

Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme – South East

Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya -South East

Hon. Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein – South south

Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru- South West

The Supreme Court will have all 21 justices present when they take their oaths, as the Constitution intended.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place on Monday, January 16th.

The appointments of the new justices have been welcomed by many Nigerians, who see them as a sign of the government’s commitment to the rule of law.

However, some critics have expressed concerns that the appointments were politically motivated.

The Supreme Court will have all 21 justices present when they take their oaths