Senate clears 2 S/Court justices, 6 INEC commissioners Rejects NCC nominee advocating scrap of upper chamber

The Senate yesterday confirmed Justice Sidi Dauda Bage and Justice Paul Adamu Galinje as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The confirmation of Bage and Galinje has increased the number of Supreme Court Justices from 15 to 17. Each of the six geopolitical zones now has three justices of the Supreme Court, except Southsouth with two.

Also yesterday, the Upper Chamber confirmed the nomination of six commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The INEC commissioners are Mohammed Haruna (North-central); retired AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu (North-east); Eng. Abubakar Nahuche (North-west); Professor Okechukwu Ibeano (South-east); May Agbamuche Mbu, (South-south) and Dr Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (South-west).

Senators also voted against the confirmation of Mr. Aliyu Saidu Abubakar as representative of the North east zone in the governing board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Abubakar from Bauchi State was among the organisers of occupy the National Assembly protest. The protest was staged shortly after senators bought 36 cars at N36.5million each in April this year.

Our correspondent reports that when Abubakar appeared before the Senate Committee on Communications for screening October 18, he maintained his position on the scrap of the Senate.

Also rejected was Pastor Ezekiel Yissa Benjamin who was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to represent North Central in the Governing board of the commission.

Yissa was Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly during late Mohammed Lawal’s administration.

However, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye as Chairman of the NCC Governing board.

The Senate also confirmed Mr. Sunday Dare (South-West), Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (South-east), Mr. Clement Omeiza Baiye (North-Central), and Chief Okoi Ofem ObonoObla((South-south) as NonExecutive Commissioners of the NCC.

Earlier while delivering the report of his Committee on the screening of the nominees, Senator Gilbert Nnaji(PDP, Enugu) said Abubakar’s response to questions and issues during the screening portrayed him as candidate who was not prepared for the job.

On Yissa’s case, Nnaji said Yissa’s background as a career Nursing Officer won’t put him in good stead to effectively cope with the dynamics of the communications sector if he is confirmed.