Dear Colleagues,
By a letter dated 27th October, 2025, the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal has requested the President of the Nigerian Bar Association to nominate suitably qualified persons, to be recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal Bench. The available Eleven (11) slots are for Justices across the six geo-political zones as follows:
North-Central: 2 vacancies
North-East: 2 vacancies
North-West: 2 vacancies
South-East: 1 vacancy
South-South: 2 vacancies
South-West: 2 vacancies
Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who are suitably qualified and are interested in applying for appointment to the Court of Appeal Bench, and who are from any of the above geo-political Zones, are enjoined to submit Expression of Interest to the National Secretariat of the NBA on or before 12th November, 2025. All correspondences should be addressed to:
The President
Nigerian Bar Association
c/o Grace Igyo, Esq.
Head, Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Department,
Nigerian Bar Association
National Secretariat
Plot 1101 Muhammadu Buhari Way
Central Business District
Abuja.
In accordance with Rule 16 of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) Regulations, 2015, each nomination, application, or expression of interest should be accompanied by the following documents:
1. A copy of the applicant’s signed Curriculum Vitae
2. A copy of the applicant’s Call to Bar Certificate
3. Evidence of payment of Bar Practicing Fees (BPF) as and when due, for 10 years preceding the application, inclusive of 2025 (applicable to members of the Bar only)
4. Evidence of payment of NBA Branch Dues as and when due, for the past 10 years preceding the application, inclusive of 2025 (applicable to members of the Bar only)
5. Evidence of attendance of at least 5 Conferences of the NBA
6. Evidence of membership of Sections or Fora of the NBA (applicable to members of the Bar only)
7. Certified true copies of at least 10 Judgments in contested cases conducted by the applicant within the 5 years preceding the date of application or 8 judgements delivered by the applicant in contested cases within 2 years preceding the date of application.
8. A letter of good standing from the Chairman of the applicant’s Branch, and 5 letters of references (2 of the referees must be Senior Advocates) confirming that the candidate possesses the qualities set out in Rule 4(4)(1)(a), (b) and (d) of the National judicial Council Guidelines for the Appointment of Judicial Officers for Superior Courts of Record as reproduced hereunder:
“In all cases:
Good character and reputation, diligence and hard work, honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of law and consistent adherence to professional ethics;
As may be applicable:
Active successful practice at the Bar, including satisfactory presentation of cases in Court as a Legal Practitioner either in private practice or as a Legal Officer in any Public Service;
…
Credible record of teaching law, legal research in a reputable University and publication of legal works…”
An electronic copy of the Expression of Interest and the accompanying documents should also be uploaded using this link: https://forms.gle/uUrAnJ8rVHrXMDha6
Upon receipt of the expressions of interest, the National Secretariat may publish the names of the interested candidates and request comments thereon from members of the NBA. The candidates may thereafter be invited for a screening interview.
Applicants are advised to address and deliver a similar expression of interest to the President of the Court of Appeal.
For further enquiries/clarifications, please contact Grace Igyo on +2348065901348 or Adaeze Opara on +2347039084181
Signed
Bridget Ijeoma Edokwe
Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
