There is a grand conspiracy to kill the investigation of
John Tsoho, the chief judge of the federal high court (FHC), over questions on
his asset declaration and age, a civil society organisation has alleged.
In a statement shared with TheCable on Tuesday, Judicial
Watchdog Initiative, a group of activists based in Abuja, said it would be
“tragic” if the judge is allowed to sit over people’s cases without first
clearing his name.
“We are not saying he is guilty as charged, but it is only
decent and honourable for him to clear his name before presiding over a court
of law,” the group said in a statement signed by Grace Kontagora, its executive
director.
“Premium Times reported that Justice Tsoho did not declare
some of his assets and that his official age is a subject of controversy.
Sahara Reporters also reported that operatives of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) intercepted Tsoho’s wife on her way to Benue state and
recovered $160,000 cash in her possession.
“The least he owes Nigerians is for him to clear his name
before holding the gavel again.”
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria, has also come
under pressure to act over the allegations.
Kekere-Ekun is the chairman of the National Judicial Council
(NJC), the apex body responsible for ensuring the independence of the
judiciary, including appointing, promoting, and disciplining judicial officers.
“The Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun promised to
clean up the judiciary when she was inaugurated. This is going to be a litmus
test for her, whether or not she was just saying those things for the cameras,”
the Judicial Watchdog Initiative said in the statement.
“We are aware that the anti-graft agencies are ready to do
their work professionally but they cannot if there is political interference,
if there is a grand conspiracy to cover up. We call on the Honourable Justice
Kudirat Kekre-Ekun to do the needful, otherwise it is untenable for the
National Judicial Commission (NJC) to pick and choose what judges to
investigate over allegations of infractions. The credibility of both the Chief
Justice and the NJC is at stake.”
An investigation by Premium Times had alleged that Tsoho
might have violated the code of conduct law by not making full disclosure of
his assets.
The newspaper reported that he did not declare three of his
accounts with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and another with Access Bank.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned him to defend
the allegations.
The CCB is empowered by law to investigate breaches of the
code of conduct for public officers and, where necessary, refer matters to the
Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
If he is found to have committed any infractions, he faces a
number of sanctions, including removal from office and a 10-year ban on holding
public office.
There are also allegations that he falsified his age.
After failing to honour the summons of the CCB despite
repeated invitations, Tsoho finally promised to do so upon the return of his
lawyer, Kanu Agabi, a senior lawyer, from a foreign trip.
In a statement issued last week, Catherine Christopher,
director of information of the FHC, said Tsoho remains committed to cooperating
with the CCB in respect of its invitation.
The statement said the chief judge would appear before the
CCB alongside his legal representative, Kanu Agabi, a senior advocate of
Nigeria (SAN).
Christopher said the position “has been duly communicated to
the Code of Conduct Bureau, affirming the Chief Judge’s willingness to appear
and participate in the process in full compliance with the law and established
constitutional safeguards”.
For scheduling purposes, the bureau has been informed that
any date within the week commencing March 16, 2026, is convenient for the chief
judge and his counsel.
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