Amid serious allegations of misconduct, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has commenced a profiled investigation into several high-ranking judges, including court heads.
This probe emanated from multiple demanding petitions linking senior judicial officials to grave offenses such as forgery, age falsification, false asset declarations, and other shocking misconduct.
Led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the 24-member NJC, empowered by the 1999 Constitution to appoint, promote, and discipline judges, focuses on identifying culprits and restoring public trust in the judiciary.
According to Premium Times, an independent media platform based in Nigeria, sources close to the NJC revealed that one allegation is particularly severe, prompting CJN Kekere-Ekun to order immediate action.
The inquiry remained highly confidential, with only a select few insiders briefed. The action is said to prevent interference and ensure thoroughness. Neither Tobi Soniyi, the CJN’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, nor NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, confirmed the probe when contacted, directing inquiries to official channels.
This development pointed to the ongoing efforts to cleanse Nigeria’s judiciary, which has faced persistent criticism for eroding public confidence. Meanwhile, the CJN emphasized that corruption claims must be evidence-based, lamenting blanket accusations that tarnish the bench.
Since assuming office as acting CJN in August 2024, Justice Kekere-Ekun has prioritized judicial integrity. In September 2025, during the 2025/2026 legal year opening, she pledged sweeping reforms for transparency and excellence. She previously acknowledged waning public faith in the courts and vowed to reverse it.
The NJC under her leadership has acted decisively. On November 15, 2024, it compulsorily retired two judges, suspended two for two years, warned one, and formed seven committees for further probes.By June 26, 2025, ten more judges faced compulsory retirement, five received cautions, and one National Industrial Court judge was barred from promotion for three years.
These measures reflected a sustained campaign against misconduct, with the current probe signaling intensified scrutiny on top officials.