Justice Tsoho To Appear Before CCB Over Undeclared Assets – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

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The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has confirmed receiving an invi­tation from the Code of Conduct Bureau and has indicated his readiness to appear before the agency.

In a statement issued on Mon­day by the Director of Informa­tion of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Catherine Christopher, the court said the Chief Judge re­mained fully committed to coop­erating with the bureau in respect of its invitation.

The statement clarified that Justice Tsoho would be accom­panied by his legal representa­tive, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who is currently outside the country for medical reasons.

According to the statement, the senior advocate has indicated his readiness to accompany the Chief Judge to the bureau upon his return to Nigeria.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, remains fully committed to coop­erating with the Code of Conduct Bureau in respect of its invitation.

“In accordance with his con­stitutional right to consult and be represented by counsel of his choice, his legal representative, Kanu Godwin Agabi, CON, SAN, has indicated his readiness to ac­company the Honourable Chief Judge to the bureau upon his re­turn to Nigeria, he being present­ly outside the country for medical reasons,” the statement reads.

The court further disclosed that the position had been com­municated to the bureau, affirm­ing the Chief Judge’s willingness to appear and participate in the process in full compliance with the law and established constitu­tional safeguards.

Christopher also stated that the bureau has been informed that any date within the week commencing Monday, March 16, 2026, would be convenient for the Chief Judge and his counsel.

“The Hon. Chief Judge reiter­ates his commitment to due pro­cess, transparency, and respect for the rule of law,” the statement added.

Justice Tsoho’s planned ap­pearance before the bureau fol­lows a Premium Times investiga­tion that alleged the judge failed to declare several bank accounts as required by law, potentially breaching Nigeria’s Code of Con­duct regime.

The report, based on docu­ments and interviews, claimed that in an asset declaration sub­mitted to the CCB on April 29, 2024, Justice Tsoho did not list at least three United Bank for Afri­ca accounts and one Access Bank account in his name — omissions that, if proven, violate Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Under the law, public officers must declare all assets, liabilities and accounts, including domicili­ary accounts. False or incomplete declarations can attract sanctions, including removal from office, dis­qualification from public office for up to 10 years, and forfeiture of im­properly declared assets.

The CCB’s invitation to Jus­tice Tsoho was reportedly issued as part of the agency’s response to those findings, though officials have not publicly detailed the spe­cific allegations.