Lawyers for Civil Liberty (LACIVLER Development Foundation) has asked Nigeria’s National Judicial Council (NJC) to disclose the full list of candidates who participated in the ongoing Federal High Court judges’ appointment process, their scores at each stage of the exercise, and any final merit list used for recommendations.
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The request, contained in a Freedom of Information (FOI) application dated January 7, 2026, also seeks details of candidates’ performance in computer-based tests, written or aptitude examinations, and oral interviews.
Signed by LACIVLER’s National Coordinator, Opatola Victor, the request emphasises the public interest in transparency, merit-based selection, and the need to strengthen confidence in the judiciary. It cites the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 as the legal basis for the demand.
The request comes amid heightened scrutiny of the judicial appointment process following reports, later clarified or disowned by the NJC, that 34 out of 62 initially nominated lawyers were disqualified or failed to progress due to petitions, integrity concerns, or failure to meet qualifying scores at the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) stage.
The NJC has maintained that no final decisions have been taken by the Council and that interviews for the shortlisted 28 candidates were scheduled for mid-January 2026, between January 11 and 14. The process has been described as structured, merit-driven, and multi-layered.
Prominent legal commentator and activist Chidi Anselm Odinkalu drew public attention to the FOI request in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 9, 2026, linking it to the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s stated commitment to greater transparency in judicial appointments.
As of January 9, 2026, there is no public information indicating that the NJC has responded to the request. Under the FOI Act, public institutions are required to respond within seven days, subject to permissible extensions. Records show the NJC received the application on January 8, 2026.
The request has renewed calls for openness in judicial recruitment, particularly against the backdrop of longstanding criticisms over alleged nepotism, influence-peddling, and lack of disclosure in the appointment of judges.
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If granted, the disclosure could set a precedent for accountability in judicial appointments. If refused, LACIVLER may pursue remedies available under the FOI Act, including appeal or judicial review.
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