In a swift move to protect the integrity of judicial appointments, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has firmly rejected recent media claims about candidate disqualification, providing a transparent account of the rigorous selection process.

NJC Secretary Ahmed Gambo Saleh issued a detailed statement Thursday refuting unauthorized reports suggesting 34 lawyers were eliminated from consideration for Federal High Court judgeships through an undisclosed "integrity test".

The council emphasized that all screening processes were conducted exclusively by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), not the NJC. Saleh stressed that no final decisions have been made regarding the candidates mentioned in media reports.

According to the NJC, candidates may have been discontinued for various legitimate reasons, including failing to achieve qualifying examination scores or having adverse petitions filed against them during a public feedback period. The process is thoroughly merit-based, involving written examinations, performance benchmarks, background checks, and comprehensive interviews.

In September, the FJSC publicly invited scrutiny by publishing 62 judicial nominee names and requesting verifiable information about their integrity and reputation. The 14-day public feedback window allowed stakeholders to submit relevant information potentially impacting candidate suitability.

After careful screening, 28 nominees were reportedly cleared and recommended for the next appointment phase. The NJC is scheduled to conduct interviews with these candidates between January 13-14, maintaining its commitment to transparency and due process.

The council has initiated an internal investigation to identify the source of unauthorized media reports, warning that speculative information could unfairly damage candidates' professional reputations. NJC spokesperson Kemi Ogedegbe confirmed the upcoming review, underscoring the institution's dedication to maintaining high judicial selection standards.