NJC Dismisses Claims 34 Lawyers Failed Integrity Test

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed as false and unauthorised a report circulating on social and mainstream media alleging that 34 lawyers failed an integrity test and were consequently dropped from consideration for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Secretary of the Council, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, clarified that the report does not reflect the actual position of events and did not emanate from the NJC. He stressed that no decision has been taken by the Council regarding the candidates mentioned in the publication. https://www.effectivegatecpm.com/ge8in1bjv?key=be81c7734fcf124116946d0c648f8d88 According to the statement, all the processes referred to in the report were conducted solely at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), which is responsible for the preliminary stages of judicial appointments. https://www.effectivegatecpm.com/ge8in1bjv?key=be81c7734fcf124116946d0c648f8d88 “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 statement read. https://www.effectivegatecpm.com/ge8in1bjv?key=be81c7734fcf124116946d0c648f8d88 The Council explained that while some candidates were discontinued at the FJSC stage due to adverse findings arising from petitions submitted to the Commission, others did not proceed further because they failed to attain the qualifying score required to advance to the interview stage before the NJC. It further clarified that there is no newly introduced or stand-alone “integrity test” whose failure automatically disqualified a large number of candidates, as suggested by the reports. The NJC reaffirmed that the process for judicial appointments is comprehensive, merit-based, and multi-layered, involving written examinations, performance benchmarks, background checks, review of petitions where applicable, and interviews conducted strictly in line with established procedures. The Council expressed concern that the dissemination of inaccurate and speculative information could mislead the public and unfairly damage the reputations of candidates who participated in the selection process in good faith. In response, the NJC disclosed that it has commenced internal investigations to identify the source of the unauthorised publication and will take appropriate measures to safeguard the credibility and integrity of its operations. Reiterating its commitment to transparency, fairness, due process, and high ethical standards, the Council urged media organisations to seek clarification from authorised channels before publishing reports on sensitive institutional matters. https://www.effectivegatecpm.com/ge8in1bjv?key=be81c7734fcf124116946d0c648f8d88