No fewer than 34 legal practitioners nominated for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria have been disqualified after failing the mandatory integrity test introduced under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun. The affected nominees were dropped from the selection process following adverse findings arising from petitions and public feedback on their character, reputation and suitability for judicial office.
The disqualification represents more than half of the 62 lawyers who initially passed the Computer Based Test conducted by the Federal High Court as part of the recruitment process for new judges. The development underscores a renewed determination by the National Judicial Council to sanitise the judiciary and ensure that only individuals of proven integrity and sound moral standing are elevated to the bench.
The integrity test forms part of newly approved guidelines by the National Judicial Council aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in judicial appointments. Under the policy, nominees are subjected not only to professional and intellectual assessment but also to rigorous scrutiny of their ethical conduct and public reputation. The initiative, championed by the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, is intended to eliminate persons of doubtful character from assuming judicial office.
Dependable sources within the National Judicial Council disclosed that following the integrity screening, only 28 nominees emerged with a clean bill of health and will now proceed to the next stage of the appointment process. These shortlisted candidates are expected to face the Council’s interview panel ahead of the NJC’s plenary meeting scheduled for January 2026.
According to the sources, the initial stage of the process began with a Computer Based Test organised by the Federal High Court. A total of 62 applicants were successful in the examination, after which their names were forwarded to the Federal Judicial Service Commission for further consideration. However, in line with established procedures and the new integrity policy, the Federal Judicial Service Commission subjected the nominees to public scrutiny.
As part of this process, the names of the 62 candidates were published on 17 September 2025, inviting members of the public to submit feedback on the integrity, reputation and overall suitability of the nominees for judicial appointment. Members of the legal profession and the general public were encouraged to submit petitions or relevant information that could assist the Council in making informed decisions.
The feedback process reportedly generated several petitions against a number of the nominees. These petitions alleged various forms of misconduct, including abuse of office, unethical behaviour and corruption. The allegations were subsequently reviewed and investigated by relevant authorities where necessary.
One of the most notable cases involved a female nominee who was accused of demanding and receiving bribes in the course of discharging her official duties. The petition against her, reportedly authored by a legal practitioner, was forwarded to the Police Service Commission for investigation. Following a thorough probe, the Police Service Commission reportedly established as a fact that the nominee had indeed demanded and received a bribe of one million naira in connection with a court matter that passed through her office.
Armed with the findings of the investigation and other verified petitions, the Federal Judicial Service Commission reportedly concluded its assessment and upheld only 28 nominations. The remaining 34 nominees were dropped for failing to meet the integrity threshold required for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court. The approved list of 28 candidates was subsequently forwarded to the National Judicial Council for further action.
Sources disclosed that the 28 shortlisted nominees will be presented to the National Judicial Council at its meeting scheduled to hold in January 2026. Ahead of the meeting, the candidates are expected to appear before the NJC interview panel for final assessment. The interview stage is regarded as critical, as it provides an opportunity for the Council to evaluate the nominees’ judicial temperament, knowledge of the law, ethical orientation and overall suitability for the bench.
Confirming developments in the process, the Director of Information of the National Judicial Council, Mrs Kemi Ogedegbe, stated that the Council would convene between 13 and 14 January to deliberate on issues relating to the appointment of Judges of the Federal High Court. She disclosed that the shortlisted nominees would face the interview panel days before the Council’s plenary session.
According to her, the interviews are expected to take place earlier in the week, possibly on Monday and Tuesday, while the full Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. She, however, declined to comment in detail on the specific petitions against individual nominees, citing the sensitive nature of the process.
Mrs Ogedegbe emphasised that the Council remains firmly committed to upholding high standards in judicial appointments and would not compromise on integrity under any circumstances. She stressed that transparency and judicial integrity remain top priorities of the current administration of the judiciary.
“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,” she said. “There is no going back on that. Merit is the only factor that will come into play during the interview, and only those found suitable will succeed.”
Legal observers have described the disqualification of 34 nominees as unprecedented and indicative of a tougher stance by the judiciary against corruption and unethical conduct. Some have argued that while the outcome may be painful for the affected individuals, it sends a strong message about the seriousness of the integrity reforms being pursued by the National Judicial Council.
The development also comes amid sustained public concern over allegations of corruption within the judiciary and growing calls for reforms to restore public confidence in the justice system. By enforcing strict integrity screening, the NJC appears determined to ensure that only individuals with unimpeachable character are entrusted with the responsibility of dispensing justice.
As the process moves to its final stages, attention will now focus on the performance of the 28 shortlisted candidates during the interview and the ultimate decisions of the National Judicial Council. The outcome is expected to further define the direction of judicial reforms and the commitment of the judiciary to rebuilding trust and credibility in Nigeria’s justice system.
