Justice Tsoho set to face CCB over undeclared assets

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has acknowledged receiving an invitation from the Code of Conduct Bureau and expressed his willingness to appear before the agency.

In a statement issued on Monday by the court’s Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, the Chief Judge affirmed his commitment to cooperating fully with the bureau in line with constitutional and legal provisions.

The statement noted that Justice Tsoho would be accompanied by his legal representative, Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN, who is currently outside the country for medical reasons. According to the court, the senior advocate has indicated his readiness to attend the bureau with the Chief Judge upon his return to Nigeria.

“In accordance with his constitutional right to consult and be represented by counsel of his choice, his legal representative has indicated his readiness to accompany the Honourable Chief Judge to the Bureau upon his return to Nigeria,” the statement said.

The court added that the bureau had been informed of Justice Tsoho’s willingness to honour the invitation and that any date within the week beginning March 16, 2026, would be convenient for both the Chief Judge and his counsel.

Justice Tsoho also reiterated his commitment to due process, transparency and respect for the rule of law.

The planned appearance follows an investigative report by Premium Times, which alleged that the judge failed to declare several bank accounts in his asset declaration form submitted to the bureau on April 29, 2024.

According to the report, at least three accounts with United Bank for Africa and one account with Access Bank were allegedly omitted — a development that, if established, could amount to a breach of Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Under Nigeria’s asset declaration laws, public officers are required to disclose all assets, liabilities and bank accounts, including domiciliary accounts. Failure to make full and accurate declarations may attract penalties such as removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, and forfeiture of improperly declared assets.

While the bureau has reportedly issued the invitation as part of its response to the allegations, it has yet to publicly outline the specific details of the case.