Judicial Shake-Up On Hold: NJC Denies Taking Action Against 34 Lawyers

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed circulating reports claiming that 34 lawyers failed an integrity test and were subsequently disqualified from consideration for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement issued by its Secretary, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, the NJC described the reports as inaccurate and not reflective of the actual process.

Saleh explained that some candidates did not continue in the selection process conducted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) due to adverse findings from petitions received by the Commission, while others did not advance because they failed to meet the required qualifying score for the interview stage before the NJC.

He emphasized that the NJC has not yet taken any final decision regarding the candidates.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the processes referenced in the report were conducted entirely at the FJSC level, and no decision or action has yet been taken by the National Judicial Council concerning the candidates,” the statement said.

The Council clarified that there is no separate or newly introduced “integrity test” whose failure automatically disqualifies candidates. Instead, candidates undergo a multi-layered, merit-based screening process that includes written examinations, performance benchmarks, background checks, petition reviews (where applicable), and interviews conducted strictly according to established guidelines.

“The Council notes with concern that the publication of inaccurate and speculative reports has the potential to mislead the public and unjustly harm the reputations of candidates who participated in the process in good faith,” the statement added.

In response, the NJC has launched an internal investigation to identify the source of the unauthorised press statement and will take appropriate measures to safeguard the integrity of its procedures.

“The Council reassures Nigerians of its firm commitment to transparency, fairness, due process, and the highest standards of judicial integrity. We urge media practitioners to seek clarification through authorised channels before publishing reports on sensitive institutional matters,” the statement concluded.