Tension as CJN Kekere-Ekun moves to sack ‘corrupt’ top judges

There is palpable tension within the Nigerian judiciary as the National Judicial Council (NJC) has reportedly launched a discreet but high-stakes investigation into several senior judicial officers, including heads of courts.

The probe, which is being described as an “extraordinary investigation,” was triggered by a series of damning petitions alleging gross misconduct among the top tier of the bench.

The 24-member council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is said to be acting on “disturbing” allegations that threaten to further bridge the gap of public trust in the third arm of government.

According to sources within the council, the petitions filed against the unnamed senior judges include:

An official familiar with the development told PREMIUM TIMES that one particular allegation is so “grave” that the CJN ordered an immediate and confidential inquiry to identify and discipline those culpable.

“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.

Since assuming office in August 2024, Justice Kekere-Ekun has been on a mission to sanitize the bench. During her swearing-in and subsequent legal year ceremonies, she vowed to reverse the waning public confidence in the Nigerian justice system through sweeping reforms and transparency.

Her leadership has already seen a significant “house-cleaning” exercise:

Despite the anxiety gripping the courts, official confirmation remains elusive. When contacted, Tobi Soniyi, the Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, directed all inquiries to the NJC, stating he had not been briefed.

Similarly, the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, claimed she was unaware of the specific ongoing probe.

However, insiders insist that the “confidential” nature of the investigation is to prevent high-ranking targets from compromising the process before the council reaches its final decisions.