A total of 34 lawyers have been disqualified from the selection process for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria after 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, is designed to ensure that only individuals of impeccable character become judicial officers.
The 34 disqualified lawyers were among 62 applicants who initially passed the Computer‑Based Test (CBT) examination conducted by the Federal High Court. After their names were published and an invitation for public feedback was issued, several petitions were filed against some nominees, prompting a thorough investigation. One petition alleged that a female nominee had accepted a bribe of one million naira in a court matter. An investigation by the Police Service Commission confirmed the allegation, resulting in her disqualification. Similar investigations led to the removal of 33 other nominees.
Consequently, 28 candidates remain to proceed to the next stage of the selection process. These shortlisted nominees will face an interview panel of the NJC in January 2026, ahead of the council’s meeting scheduled for the same month. NJC Director of Information Mrs. Kemi Ogedegbe confirmed that the council will meet between 13 and 14 January to consider the appointments. She emphasized that the NJC is committed to 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 toward promoting transparency and accountability in the judicial system. The selection process is expected to be rigorous, focusing on assessing the nominees’ suitability for the role of a judge, and its outcome will be closely watched for its impact on the Nigerian judiciary.
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