A total of 34 lawyers have been disqualified from the selection process for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria due to failing the integrity test. The test, introduced by the National Judicial Council (NJC) under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, aims to ensure that only individuals of impeccable character are appointed as judicial officers.
The 34 lawyers were among 62 applicants who had initially passed the Computer-Based Test (CBT) examination conducted by the Federal High Court. However, following the publication of their names and an invitation for public feedback, several petitions were received against some of the nominees, leading to a thorough investigation.
One of the petitions alleged that a female nominee had accepted a bribe of one million naira in the course of a court matter. An investigation by the Police Service Commission confirmed the allegation, leading to the nominee’s disqualification. Similar investigations led to the disqualification of 33 other nominees, leaving 28 candidates who will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
The 28 shortlisted nominees will face an interview panel of the NJC in January 2026, ahead of the council’s meeting scheduled for the same month. The NJC Director of Information, Mrs. Kemi Ogedegbe, confirmed that the council will meet between January 13 and 14 to consider the appointments. She emphasized that the NJC is committed to upholding the principles of transparency and judicial integrity, and that only merit will be considered during the interview process.
The introduction of the integrity test is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Nigerian judiciary and ensure that only individuals of high character are appointed as judges. The move is seen as a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the judicial system. The selection process is expected to be rigorous, with a focus on assessing the nominees’ suitability for the role of a judge. The outcome of the process will be closely watched, as it is expected to have a significant impact on the Nigerian judiciary.