NJC Begins Discreet Probe Into Senior Judges Nationwide

NJC begins discreet probe into senior judges nationwide
Investigation follows disturbing petitions alleging grave misconduct
Kekere Ekun moves to restore public confidence

The National Judicial Council has commenced what insiders described as a discreet but far reaching investigation into some highly placed judges across the country, including heads of courts.

Sources within the council disclosed that the ongoing inquiry, described as extraordinary, was triggered by a series of serious petitions filed against unnamed senior judicial officers.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the NJC, the constitutional body responsible for appointing, promoting and disciplining judicial officers, is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

According to officials familiar with the development, the probe followed what they termed a wave of damning and disturbing petitions alleging grave misconduct.

“The allegation against one of the senior judges is so grave that Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun has ordered an urgent probe to identify culpable individuals and cleanse the judiciary,” a source said.

The official added that the investigation is being handled with strict confidentiality and is known only to a limited number of insiders within the council.

“I can tell you that the NJC has, in recent times, received several petitions and complaints alleging serious and shocking misconduct, forgery, age falsification and false asset declarations.

“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 source stated.

The identities of the judges under investigation, as well as those who filed the petitions, were not disclosed. Officials said they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.

When contacted, Tobi Soniyi, Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, referred enquiries to the NJC, stating he had not been briefed on the issue.

Similarly, the NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, said she was unaware of any such probe.

Justice Kekere Ekun had in September 2025, during the commencement of the 2025 2026 legal year, pledged reforms aimed at promoting judicial excellence, transparency and effective administration of justice.

Earlier, at her swearing in as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria in August 2024, she acknowledged declining public confidence in the judiciary and vowed to reverse the trend.

Since she assumed office, the council has taken disciplinary measures against several judicial officers.

On November 15, 2024, the NJC announced the compulsory retirement of two judges, suspended two others for two years and issued a formal warning to another judge. The council also constituted seven investigative committees to examine various allegations of misconduct.

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.

NJC Begins Discreet Probe Into Senior Judges Nationwide

The latest investigation signals a fresh effort by the council to address allegations of misconduct at the highest levels of the judiciary amid renewed scrutiny of accountability within the justice system.