NJC Disqualifies 34 Applicants As Judges Of FHC, To Screen 28 Lawyers

By Ayodele Oni

Not less than 28 lawyers have been shortlisted for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court, (FHC), sources at the National Judicial Council revealed.

It was gathered that another set of 34 lawyers were disqualified for failing the integrity test for appointment as Judicial Officers in Nigeria and dropped from the race.

It was gathered that the 34 legal practitioners are part of the 62 applicants nominated for the bench of the high court, but got knocked off by various petitions against them during the integrity test.

Director of Information, at the National Judicial Council, (NJC), Mrs Kemi Ogedegbe confirmed that the Council would meet between January 13 and 14 to consider issues in the process of the shortlisted candidates for appointments as Judges of the Federal High Court.

According to her, the 28 shortlisted nominees will face the Council interview panel days before the meeting, maybe Monday and Tuesday, while meeting is Wednesday and Thursday.

The Director who refused detailed comments on petitions against some nominees insisted that the NJC is fully determined not to lower the entry point bar no matter who is involved.

“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.

“There is no going back on that. Merit is the only factor that would come to play during the interview and only those found suitable would have their ways,” she said.

The integrity test is part of the new guidelines approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC) under Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to eliminate persons of doubtful characters from being appointed as judicial officers.

It was learnt that the process of integrity test include publication of nominees names which was done on September 17, 2025, during which members of the public were invited to submit feedback on nominees’ integrity, reputation and suitability for judicial appointment.