Storm In The Courts: NJC Launches Secret Probe Of Senior Judges
Tension Mounts Within the Bench
UNEASE is reportedly spreading across Nigeria’s judiciary following the commencement of what insiders describe as a far-reaching investigation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) into several high-ranking judges, including heads of courts.
Multiple sources familiar with developments say the probe, characterised as “extraordinary,” was triggered by a series of weighty petitions alleging serious misconduct by unnamed senior judicial officers. The NJC, constitutionally empowered to appoint, promote, and discipline judges, is said to be handling the matter with unusual discretion.
At the centre of the unfolding development is the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who chairs the 24-member council. The NJC derives its authority from the 1999 Constitution, positioning it as the apex disciplinary body within the judiciary.
Grave Allegations and Confidential Inquiries
According to insiders, some of the petitions contain allegations described as “damning and disturbing,” including claims of forgery, falsification of age records, and false asset declarations. One allegation, in particular, was reportedly considered grave enough to prompt urgent internal action.
Sources say the CJN has directed immediate steps to identify culpable individuals and safeguard the integrity of the bench. The investigation is reportedly restricted to a small circle within the council to prevent leaks and preserve due process.
Officials contacted for comment offered little clarity. Tobi Soniyi, Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, referred enquiries to the NJC, stating he had not been briefed. Meanwhile, the council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, said she was unaware of any such probe.
Reform Agenda Under Pressure
The reported investigation comes amid ongoing reform efforts by Justice Kekere-Ekun. During the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year, she pledged sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and public trust in the justice system. Earlier, at her swearing-in in August 2024, she acknowledged waning public confidence in the judiciary and vowed corrective action.
Since assuming office, the NJC has demonstrated a willingness to discipline erring judicial officers. On 15 November 2024, it ordered the compulsory retirement of two judges, suspended two others for two years, and issued a formal warning to another. Seven investigative panels were also constituted.
On 26 June 2025, the council escalated its disciplinary actions, compulsorily retiring 10 judges, cautioning five others, and barring a judge of the National Industrial Court from promotion for three years.
Implications for Judicial Integrity
Legal analysts say the current probe, if confirmed, signals a determination to entrench accountability at the highest levels of the judiciary. However, they also caution that allegations against senior judges could deepen public scepticism if not handled transparently.
As investigations continue behind closed doors, the judiciary faces a delicate balancing act — preserving institutional credibility while ensuring fairness to those under scrutiny. For many observers, the coming months will test whether the NJC’s reformist posture can translate into lasting structural change.
