NJC DENIES REPORT ALLEGING 34 LAWYERS FAILED ‘INTEGRITY TEST’ IN FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGE SELECTION
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed as false a circulating report claiming that 34 lawyers failed an “integrity test” and were subsequently excluded from the selection process for judges of the Federal High Court.
In a statement issued on December 31, 2025, and signed by the NJC Secretary, Ahmed Saleh, the council described the publication as inaccurate and unauthorised, noting that it did not present a true account of events surrounding the judicial appointment process.
The council explained that the procedures referenced in the report were handled solely by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), adding that the NJC had not yet taken any decision or action regarding the candidates mentioned.
According to the NJC, some applicants were screened out at the FJSC stage due to adverse findings arising from petitions lodged against them, while others failed to advance simply because they did not meet the minimum qualifying scores required to proceed to the interview stage before the NJC.
“The council states categorically that the report is inaccurate and unauthorised, and therefore does not reflect the true position of events as they transpired at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.
“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 in respect of the candidates concerned.
“The council further clarifies that while a few candidates were indeed discontinued from the process at the FJSC level based on adverse findings arising from petitions received by the commission, a number of others did not progress further simply because they failed to meet the required qualifying score to advance to the interview stage before the NJC,” the statement read.
The clarification followed media reports alleging that 34 nominees, including a Chief Superintendent of Police, failed an “integrity test” purportedly conducted by the NJC.
Earlier reports had claimed that out of 62 applicants who passed a Computer-Based Test organised by the Federal High Court in Abuja, only 28 were successful after the integrity screening exercise.
However, Saleh cautioned that the circulation of speculative and incorrect information could mislead the public and unjustly harm the reputation of candidates who participated in the process in good faith.
“The council notes with concern that the publication of inaccurate and speculative details has the potential to mislead the public and unjustly impugn the reputation of candidates,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the NJC had begun internal investigations to determine the source of the unauthorised publication and would take necessary measures to protect the integrity of its processes.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, due process and the highest standards of judicial integrity, while urging members of the media to seek clarification from authorised sources before reporting on sensitive institutional issues.
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