The Court of Appeal of Nigeria has reportedly released a fresh 2026 posting list affecting several divisions across the country, according to judicial sources, although the official document is yet to be obtained by TheNigeriaLawyer.
However, it was learnt that the latest reshuffle, carried out under the Head of the Court of Appeal (HPCA), includes the posting of a new Presiding Justice to the Owerri Division.
Sources familiar with the development said the affected Presiding Justice, Hon. Justice Patricia Ajuma Mahmoud, was moved from the Yola Division of the Court of Appeal before her reported redeployment to Owerri.
It was further gathered that two other Justices were also posted from different divisions, bringing the number of Justices at the Owerri Division to four, in addition to those already on ground.
Consequently, the development is expected to affect court operations in the division, as all cases already adjourned for hearing may remain on hold pending the resumption of the new Presiding Justice and the issuance of administrative directives on case allocation and hearing schedules.
Meanwhile, judicial developments in 2026 also reflect a wider restructuring of the appellate court system.
In January 2026, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended the elevation of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, then Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal, to the Supreme Court. He was subsequently sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria on February 25, 2026, creating a consequential vacancy within the Court of Appeal.
As part of broader judicial appointments, a list of 48 nominees was earlier compiled to fill Court of Appeal vacancies across 12 states, including Benue, Plateau, Gombe, and Taraba. The list is expected to be pruned to 12 final appointees before a swearing-in date is fixed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Earlier in February 2026, 14 new Federal High Court judges were sworn in at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, while the Supreme Court was also strengthened following the swearing-in of Justice Oyewole.