34 Nominees Fail NJC Integrity Test, 28 Shortlisted for Federal High Court Bench
No fewer than 34 lawyers nominated for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court (FHC) have been disqualified after failing the integrity test introduced under the new guidelines of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The integrity screening, approved by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, is designed to ensure that only candidates of unquestionable character are elevated to the bench.
Out of 62 nominees who initially passed the Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted by the Federal High Court, only 28 cleared the integrity hurdle.
The names of all 62 nominees were published on September 17, 2025, inviting public feedback on their integrity, reputation, and suitability.
Petitions received during this process led to the disqualification of 34 candidates.
One petition alleged that a female nominee solicited and received a ₦1 million bribe in the course of handling a court matter. Following investigation by the Police Service Commission (PSC), the allegation was confirmed, resulting in her removal from consideration along with others similarly indicted.
The 28 shortlisted nominees will appear before the NJC interview panel in January 2026, ahead of the Council’s meeting scheduled for January 13–14.
The interview sessions are expected to hold earlier that week, with final deliberations by the Council in the second week of January.
Speaking on the development, Mrs. Kemi Ogedegbe, NJC Director of Information, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to transparency and merit:
“Judicial integrity remains a top priority for the Kekere‑Ekun administration. The entry bar will not be lowered for anyone. Merit alone will determine who is appointed.”
