In a significant move to uphold judicial standards, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has disqualified thirty-four lawyers from the race to become judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. The lawyers failed a crucial integrity test designed to screen out individuals with questionable character.
The Integrity Test: A New Screening Frontier
The integrity test forms a core part of new guidelines approved by the NJC under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The policy aims to prevent persons of doubtful integrity from ascending to the bench. The process began with sixty-two applicants who had successfully passed a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted by the Federal High Court.
Their names were subsequently forwarded to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). In adherence to the new procedure, the FJSC published the list of all sixty-two nominees on 17 September 2025, inviting the public to submit feedback on their integrity, reputation, and overall suitability for judicial office.
Public Petitions and Police Investigation
The call for public feedback yielded several petitions against a number of the nominees. One notable case involved a female nominee accused of soliciting and accepting bribes in the course of her official duties. This serious allegation prompted the FJSC to refer the matter to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for a thorough investigation.
The police investigation confirmed the petition's claims, establishing as a fact that the nominee had demanded and received a one million Naira bribe during a court case that was handled by her office. This finding, among other petitions from the public, provided the basis for the disqualification of thirty-four applicants who could not scale the integrity hurdle.
The Road Ahead for the 28 Shortlisted Nominees
Consequently, only twenty-eight nominees who received a clean bill of health have been shortlisted. Dependable sources at the NJC confirm that these candidates will now face the Council's interview panel. The interviews are scheduled to hold days before the NJC's main meeting in January 2026.
Mrs. Kemi Ogedegbe, the NJC Director of Information, confirmed the Council's meeting dates. "The Council will meet between 13 and 14 January to consider issues in the process of the shortlisted candidates for appointments as Judges of the Federal High Court," she stated. The twenty-eight shortlisted nominees will face the Council's interview panel on the Monday and Tuesday preceding the meeting.
Mrs. Ogedegbe emphasized the Council's unwavering commitment to transparency and merit. "You are all aware, like the general public too, that transparency and judicial integrity have remained a top priority for the Kekere-Ekun-led administration. There is no going back on that," she insisted. She further clarified that merit would be the sole determinant during the interviews, and only those found suitable would succeed.
This rigorous screening process marks a determined effort by the Nigerian judiciary to restore and strengthen public confidence by ensuring that only individuals of proven integrity and character are appointed to the esteemed position of a judge.
