Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice John Tsoho over allegations that he failed to declare several bank accounts in his asset declaration form.
Multiple sources within the bureau told Premium Times that Justice Tsoho has been invited to appear before the CCB to respond to questions regarding the alleged non-disclosure.
Officials said he was expected to appear on Friday but did not attend.
He is now expected to appear on Monday.
Documents reviewed by Premium Times indicate that in the asset declaration form submitted on April 29, 2024, Justice Tsoho allegedly did not disclose several naira and domiciliary accounts.
The accounts reportedly omitted include three domiciled with United Bank for Africa – 3000087154, 3000201901 and 3000075689 and one account with Access Bank, number 1756816871.
Under the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, public officers are required to declare all assets, including bank accounts and funds held in them, upon assumption of office and at specified intervals.
Failure to disclose assets or making a false declaration constitutes a breach of the law.
Sources within the bureau said that if the allegations are substantiated, the matter could be referred to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
Sanctions available to the tribunal include removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years and forfeiture of improperly declared assets.
Decisions of the tribunal are appealable to the Court of Appeal.
The case draws attention to the 2019 conviction of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen who was removed from office by the CCT over failure to declare some bank accounts.
The tribunal ordered the forfeiture of five accounts linked to him.
In November 2024, the Court of Appeal reversed the conviction following a settlement with the federal government.
Justice Tsoho has previously faced criticism over some administrative decisions.
In November last year, he reassigned a receivership case involving FBNQuest Merchant Bank/First Trustees and the Nestoil Group.
In June 2023, activists questioned his refusal to grant an order detaining former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele.
There have also been claims regarding discrepancies in his year of birth, with some critics alleging age falsification.
There is no indication that any agency is investigating that claim.
The development comes amid ongoing scrutiny within the judiciary.
The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is reported to be investigating allegations involving senior judges, including claims of false asset declarations.
Sources said the probe followed petitions against unnamed judicial officers.
Civil society group Opposition Watch Nigeria has also called on the CCB and the NJC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations against Justice John Tsoho.
