Integrity screening disqualifies 34 nominees in Federal High Court Judgeship race No fewer than 34 lawyers nominated for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court have been dropped from the selection process after failing an integrity screening conducted by judicial authorities. The disqualification followed petitions submitted by members of the public against some of the nominees, as part of new guidelines introduced by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to strengthen transparency and uphold ethical standards within the judiciary. The integrity screening, approved under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is aimed at preventing individuals of questionable character from being appointed as judicial officers. A total of 62 applicants had earlier scaled the Computer-Based Test (CBT) organised by the Federal High Court, after which their names were forwarded to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). In line with procedure, the FJSC subsequently published the names of the successful candidates on September 17, 2025, inviting public feedback on their integrity, reputation and suitability for judicial office. Sources at the NJC disclosed that the petitions received during this period proved decisive, with 34 nominees failing to meet the required integrity threshold. Only 28 candidates, who reportedly received a clean bill of conduct, have now been cleared to proceed to the next stage of the selection process. One of the petitions, according to sources, involved allegations of bribery against a female nominee. The matter was referred to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for investigation, which reportedly established that the nominee demanded and received a sum of N1 million in the course of handling a court-related matter. The findings were among those that influenced the decision to drop affected candidates. Following the screening, the FJSC upheld the nominations of the remaining 28 candidates and forwarded their names to the NJC for further consideration. The shortlisted nominees are expected to appear before the NJC interview panel ahead of the Council’s meeting scheduled for January 2026. Confirming the development, the NJC Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Ogedegbe, said the Council would meet between January 13 and 14 to deliberate on issues relating to the appointment process. She disclosed that the shortlisted candidates would face the interview panel a few days before the meeting. Ogedegbe declined to comment on the specifics of the petitions but emphasised that the NJC would not compromise on standards. She said the current leadership of the judiciary remained committed to transparency, merit and integrity, stressing that only candidates found suitable after the interview would be recommended for appointment. The development marks one of the most stringent applications of public integrity screening in recent judicial appointment processes, underscoring renewed efforts by the NJC to restore public confidence in the judiciary.
No fewer than 34 lawyers nominated for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court have been dropped from the selection process after failing an integrity screening conducted by judicial authorities.
The disqualification followed petitions submitted by members of the public against some of the nominees, as part of new guidelines introduced by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to strengthen transparency and uphold ethical standards within the judiciary.
The integrity screening, approved under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is aimed at preventing individuals of questionable character from being appointed as judicial officers.
A total of 62 applicants had earlier scaled the Computer-Based Test (CBT) organised by the Federal High Court, after which their names were forwarded to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
In line with procedure, the FJSC subsequently published the names of the successful candidates on September 17, 2025, inviting public feedback on their integrity, reputation and suitability for judicial office.
Sources at the NJC disclosed that the petitions received during this period proved decisive, with 34 nominees failing to meet the required integrity threshold.
Only 28 candidates, who reportedly received a clean bill of conduct, have now been cleared to proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
One of the petitions, according to sources, involved allegations of bribery against a female nominee.
The matter was referred to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for investigation, which reportedly established that the nominee demanded and received a sum of N1 million in the course of handling a court-related matter.
The findings were among those that influenced the decision to drop affected candidates.
Following the screening, the FJSC upheld the nominations of the remaining 28 candidates and forwarded their names to the NJC for further consideration.
The shortlisted nominees are expected to appear before the NJC interview panel ahead of the Council’s meeting scheduled for January 2026.
Confirming the development, the NJC Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Ogedegbe, said the Council would meet between January 13 and 14 to deliberate on issues relating to the appointment process.
She disclosed that the shortlisted candidates would face the interview panel a few days before the meeting.
Ogedegbe declined to comment on the specifics of the petitions but emphasised that the NJC would not compromise on standards.
She said the current leadership of the judiciary remained committed to transparency, merit and integrity, stressing that only candidates found suitable after the interview would be recommended for appointment.
The development marks one of the most stringent applications of public integrity screening in recent judicial appointment processes, underscoring renewed efforts by the NJC to restore public confidence in the judiciary.
