Pressure mounts on CJN over Tsoho’s asset declaration saga – Sources

Tsoho

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria, has come under pressure to act over the alleged non-declaration of asset by John Tsoho, the chief judge of the federal high court (FHC).

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.

Senior lawyers who spoke with TheCable off-the-record said Kekeru-Ekun’s promise to clean up the judiciary will be put to the test by the way she handles the Tsoho saga.

TheCable understands that the issue had been brought to her attention “for a while” but no decisive action has been taken.

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 honours 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 on Monday, 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. Thecable