In a significant move to clean up the judiciary, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has disqualified thirty-four lawyers from the process of becoming judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. The disqualification came after the candidates failed a newly introduced integrity test designed to screen out persons of questionable character.
New Screening Process Eliminates Dozens of Candidates
The integrity test was a key part of new guidelines approved by the NJC and endorsed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. It was applied after an initial shortlist of 62 lawyers had been compiled. These 62 applicants had already passed a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted by the Federal High Court, and their names were forwarded to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
In line with procedure, the FJSC published the names of all 62 nominees on September 17, 2025, inviting the public to submit feedback on their integrity, reputation, and overall suitability for a judicial role. This public feedback mechanism proved crucial in the screening process.
Petitions and a Bribery Allegation Lead to Disqualifications
According to sources within the NJC, petitions were submitted against many of the nominees during this public screening phase. One serious petition alleged that a female nominee had demanded and accepted a bribe in the course of her official duties.
This specific case was referred to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for investigation. The PSC's probe reportedly confirmed the allegation, establishing that the nominee demanded and received a bribe of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) in connection with a court matter that passed through her office.
Based on the findings from this petition and several others, the Federal Judicial Service Commission upheld only 28 nominations. The names of these successful candidates were sent to the NJC, while the remaining 34 were dropped for failing the integrity test.
Strengthening Judicial Transparency and Next Steps
This development marks a major step in the NJC's ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in the appointment of judges in Nigeria. By introducing and strictly enforcing the integrity test, the council aims to ensure that only individuals with unblemished character ascend to the bench.
The 28 nominees who received a clean bill of health are now set to appear before the NJC's interview panel next month. This will be the final hurdle before their potential appointment as judges of the Federal High Court.
The rigorous process underscores a tightening of standards for the Federal High Court bench, reflecting a broader institutional push to restore and maintain public confidence in Nigeria's judiciary.
