iDeemlawfulThe National Judicial Council has rejected a viral report alleging that 34 lawyers failed an “integrity test” and were subsequently dropped from consideration for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court, describing the claim as false and unauthorised.
In a press statement dated December 31, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq., the Council said the report circulating in the media did not accurately represent what occurred during the judicial appointment process.
According to the NJC, the procedures referenced in the report were carried out solely at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, adding that it had not yet taken any decision or action concerning the affected candidates.
The Council explained that while some applicants were discontinued at the FJSC stage due to adverse findings arising from petitions submitted against them, others did not advance simply because they failed to achieve the minimum qualifying scores required to proceed to the interview stage before the NJC.
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“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 (FJSC).
“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, several 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 claiming that 34 nominees, including a Chief Superintendent of Police, failed an “integrity test” allegedly conducted by the Council.
Reports published earlier stated that although 62 applicants passed a Computer-Based Test organised by the Federal High Court in Abuja, only 28 reportedly emerged successful after an integrity screening.
However, Saleh cautioned that publishing speculative and inaccurate information could mislead the public and unfairly 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 said.
The NJC Secretary also disclosed that internal investigations had commenced to identify the source of the unauthorised press release, assuring that appropriate steps would be taken to protect the credibility of the Council’s processes.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, due process and the highest standards of judicial integrity, urging journalists to seek clarification from authorised channels when reporting on sensitive institutional matters.