Justices Eko, Augie join Supreme Court

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Justices Ejembi Eko and Amina A. Augie, for the Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC). The two justices were sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday, at the Supreme Court […]

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Justices Ejembi Eko and Amina A. Augie, for the Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The two justices were sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday, at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Justice Augie was born on the 3rd of September 1953, and started her career as a Legal Aid Officer in Sokoto, in 1979. She became a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1980/81; Senior State Counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel to President Shehu Shagari, 1982/84; lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, 1984/88; Chief Magistrate, Sokoto State Judiciary, 1988/92; and High Court Judge, Sokoto State Judiciary, 1992/2002.
She was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2002. She also served as Chairman of the following Tribunals/Commissions: Recovery of Public Properties Tribunal, Sokoto, 1995/96; Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Tribunal, Lagos, 1996/99; National Assembly, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, 2000/02; and Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Nigerdock, 2001/02.
She has remained interested in academics and has presented over 30 Seminar Papers, at national and international seminars/workshops, with a number of publications to her credit.
She was a federal government delegate to the United Nations Decade for Women Conference in Nairobi, July 1995; and Delegate/Stakeholder Representative (Human Rights) ADF-III in Addis Ababa, March 2002.
In Nigeria, she was a Member of the National Committee on Prisons Reform, and is currently member of the National Working Group on Juvenile Justice Administration; Chairman, Experts Consultative Meeting on the Passage of the Child Rights Bill; Member, National Child Rights Implementation Committee (NCRIC), and Chairman, National, CRA Facilitators of the Child Rights Act.
Justice Ejembi Eko was born May 23, 1952 and started his career as a pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice Kaduna in 1977. After his NYSC he went into private legal practice with Omakwu and Co until 1980 when he was self- employed.
He was director Civil Litigation, Ministry of Justice, Makurdi, 1987 and Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Makurdi until 1989.
Between 1989 and 1999, he served as administrative Judge, Ankpa, Katsina-Ala, Makurdi and Otukpo from 1999 to December 2007. He has performed several sensitive assignments including Chairman, Benue State Committee on Review of 1999 Constitution.
He was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal in February 2008.
With their appointments, the justices of the Supreme Court are now 16 but before the week runs out would be back to 15 justices as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed would have bowed out having attained the 70 years mandatory retirement age.
As at today, the justices are: Mahmud Mohammed (CJN), Walter Knau Onnoghen, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed, Bode Rhodes Vivour, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta ( on suspension), Mary Ukaego Peter –Odili, Olukayode Ariwoola and Musa Dattijo Muhammed.
The rest are Justices Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kumai Bayang Akaahs, Kudirate Kekere- Ekun, John Okoro Inyang (on suspension), Chima Centus Nweze, Amiru Sanusi, Amina Adamu Augie and Ejembi Eko.