The National Judicial Council (NJC) has commenced what sources describe as a far-reaching but discreet investigation into allegations of corruption against some highly placed judicial officers, including heads of courts.
The council, Nigeria’s constitutional body responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of judicial officers, is said to have initiated what insiders termed an “extraordinary investigation” following a wave of petitions alleging serious misconduct against unnamed senior judges.
The 24-member council is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and derives its powers from Paragraph 20 of Part One of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Allegations Spark Probe
According to officials familiar with the development, the ongoing probe was triggered by “damning and disturbing petitions” submitted to the council in recent months.
One source said the allegation against one of the senior judges was particularly grave, prompting the Chief Justice to order an urgent investigation to identify culpable individuals and sanitise the judiciary. The inquiry is reportedly being conducted under strict confidentiality and is known only to a limited circle within the NJC.
Another official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the council had received multiple complaints alleging misconduct, forgery, age falsification and false asset declarations.
“I can tell you that the NJC has, in recent times, received several petitions and complaints alleging serious and shocking misconduct,” the source said. “Deeply disturbed by the weight of the allegations, the CJN is mobilising the NJC for urgent administrative action. She does not want these claims to further erode public confidence in the judiciary.”
The identities of the judges under investigation, as well as the petitioners, were not disclosed.
Official Silence
When contacted for confirmation, the Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, Tobi Soniyi, said he had not been briefed and referred enquiries to the NJC.
Similarly, the NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, said she was unaware of any such investigation.
Justice Kekere-Ekun had, during the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year in September 2025, pledged sweeping reforms to promote judicial excellence, transparency and effective justice administration.
Earlier, at her swearing-in as Acting Chief Justice in August 2024, she acknowledged waning public confidence in the judiciary and vowed to reverse the trend.
Ongoing Disciplinary Actions
Under her leadership, the NJC has taken disciplinary measures against several judicial officers.
On November 15, 2024, the council announced the compulsory retirement of two judges, suspended two others for two years and issued a formal warning to another. It also set up seven investigative committees to examine allegations of misconduct against other judges.
On June 26, 2025, the NJC compulsorily retired 10 judges, cautioned five others and barred a judge of the National Industrial Court from promotion for three years.
If confirmed, the latest probe would signal a continuation of the council’s disciplinary efforts aimed at restoring credibility to Nigeria’s judiciary amid heightened public scrutiny.
For now, the NJC has maintained official silence, leaving questions about the scope and implications of the reported investigation unanswered.
