Nigerian judges are on edge. The National Judicial Council (NJC) is about to change the game

By: Abudu Olalekan

NJC’s New Firing Rule Sparks Fear Among Judges

From next year, errant judges might not get a second chance. The NJC, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is close to adopting a new rule. Instead of suspending them multiple times, judges with repeated misconduct could be fired outright.

A top source told Reportersroom, “This isn’t just a tweak. It’s a total overhaul.” The old system let judges come back after suspensions. Now? One strike, you’re out.

The NJC is prepping to release the reforms soon. The move is making waves in the justice sector. Kekere-Ekun, who’s also the Chief Justice of Nigeria, wants more accountability. But judges with pending cases? They’re sweating.

Sunday Reportersroom learned the NJC is handling nearly 100 petitions against judicial officers. The Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee (PCAC) is sorting through them. Three PCAC teams—A, B, and C—each with four members, are led by retired Supreme Court justices. One team is headed by a retired Court of Appeal justice, A.B. Yahaya. The others? Justices Mary Odili and Bode Rhodes-Vivour.

Each team is dealing with over 30 petitions. That’s a lot of heat on judges.

Once the PCAC finishes, trial panels step in. If a judge is found guilty, the NJC used to bump up punishments. Like, a panel might suggest a six-month suspension, but the council could extend it to two years.

But that’s changing. “Those judges who think they can always bounce back? They’re in for a shock,” the source said. “This CJN means business—no more playing around.”

Kemi Ogedengbe, the NJC’s spokesperson, didn’t confirm or deny. But she hinted at a shake-up. “We’re taking all legal steps to get rid of the bad apples,” she said. “This leadership is ready to change the story.”

Judges are nervous. Some have multiple petitions. The new rule means their careers could end fast. “It’s like walking on eggshells now,” one judge told us (off the record). “One mistake, and you’re done.”

The NJC’s goal? Clean up the judiciary. But for judges in the hot seat, the future’s uncertain.