The National Judicial Council (NJC) at its 108th meeting empanelled nine investigation committees to probe allegations of misconduct against 27 judicial officers, while dismissing 29 petitions as unsubstantiated.
In a groundbreaking resolution, the Council also announced that judicial appointments will now be subject to public input. Names of shortlisted candidates will be published ahead of confirmation, allowing the public to submit objections relating to the integrity, reputation, or competence of nominees.
Other key decisions at the NJC’s 108th meeting include:
- Several petitions involving Justices of the FCT High Court, National Industrial Court, and various State High Courts were either put in abeyance pending appellate decisions or dismissed for lack of merit.
- A petitioner from Zamfara State who was found to have peddled falsehoods during a judicial appointment process has been barred from participating in any future exercises.
- A petition challenging the 2021 recruitment of six Federal High Court judges was struck out on the grounds that it was filed outside the time allowed by the Judicial Discipline Regulations.
The NJC’s latest decisions reflect a strong commitment to institutional integrity, while signalling a more participatory and transparent era in judicial oversight and appointment procedures in Nigeria.
