No fewer than 34 lawyers nominated for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria have been disqualified after failing the newly introduced integrity screening process approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The affected candidates were among 62 legal practitioners who had earlier passed the Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted by the Federal High Court and were subsequently nominated for consideration for elevation to the Bench. However, credible petitions and adverse findings arising from the integrity assessment led to their removal from the selection process.
The integrity test forms part of sweeping reforms initiated by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, aimed at strengthening judicial accountability and eliminating individuals of questionable character from the judiciary. Under the revised NJC guidelines, public feedback now plays a central role in evaluating the integrity, reputation, and overall suitability of judicial nominees.
According to dependable sources within the NJC, following the CBT, the list of 62 successful applicants was forwarded to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). In line with established procedure, the FJSC published the names of the nominees on September 17, 2025, inviting members of the public to submit petitions or feedback regarding the candidates’ character and professional conduct.
Multiple petitions were reportedly received against several nominees during the feedback window. One of the most damaging petitions involved a female nominee accused of soliciting and receiving bribes in the course of her official duties. The petition was referred to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for investigation, which reportedly established that the nominee demanded and received a sum of one million naira in connection with a court matter handled by her office.
Armed with verified findings from the PSC and other petitions submitted by members of the legal community, the FJSC upheld only 28 nominations, dropping the remaining 34 applicants for failing to meet the integrity threshold required for judicial office.
Sources disclosed that the 28 shortlisted nominees have now been forwarded to the NJC and are expected to appear before the Council’s interview panel ahead of its scheduled meeting in January 2026. The interviews are expected to hold days before the plenary session of the Council, which is slated for the second week of the month.
Confirming the development, the NJC Director of Information, Mrs. Kemi Ogedegbe, disclosed that the Council is scheduled to meet between January 13 and 14, 2026, to deliberate on matters relating to the appointment of Judges of the Federal High Court.
She explained that the shortlisted nominees would face the NJC interview panel earlier in the week, likely on Monday and Tuesday, before the Council’s main meeting on Wednesday and Thursday.
While declining to comment in detail on specific petitions against the disqualified nominees, Mrs. Ogedegbe emphasised that the NJC remains resolute in upholding transparency, merit, and integrity in judicial appointments.
“Transparency and judicial integrity remain top priorities under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. There is no going back on that. Merit is the only consideration, and only candidates found suitable will be recommended,” she stated.
The development underscores the NJC’s renewed commitment to restoring public confidence in the judiciary by ensuring that only candidates of proven integrity and professional standing are entrusted with judicial authority.
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