The Fate of Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi Lies in the Hands of these 7 Supreme Court Justices

The legal battle over the 25th of February presidential election will be concluded today as a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court rules on the appeals of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu.

Let’s take a look at some of the Supreme Court Justices who will be deciding the fate of these political contenders.

John Inyang Okoro

Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro began his legal career as Magistrate Grade 11 in 1986 and rose through the Magisterial Cadre culminating in his promotion to the post of Chief Magistrate Grade 1 in 1996. 

He was later appointed a Judge of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State from 1998-2006. Justice Iyang was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2006 and served in that capacity up to 2013.

His Lordship has been a Supreme Court Justice since 15th November 2013.

Uwani Abba-Aji

Uwani Abba-Aji was appointed Higher Court Judge of Yobe State Judiciary in December 1991 making her the first Lady Judge at Yobe State Judiciary, a position she held until July 2004 when she was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

She had also served in various election petition tribunals in addition to being a designated ICPC Anticorruption Judge between 2001 and 2014 and a Life bencher in 2018. She became a Supreme Court Justice on the 8th of January, 2019.

Lawal Garba

Lawal Garba has served in different capacities and bodies; Member Body of Benchers from 1996-2004, Member, Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja 1996-2004, Member, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) 1997-1999, Member Body of Benchers 2010 to date.

His Lordship became a Supreme Court Justice on the 6th of November, 2020.

Ibrahim Saulawa

Ibrahim Saulawa started his legal career with the Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State in August 1982, as a Pupil State Counsel (NYSC). He has served as a presiding Justice at Calaber Judicial Division October, Ilorin Judicial Division, and Port Harcourt Judicial Division.

He was elevated to the Bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 10 November 2023. 

Other justices include Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim.