The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, following allegations that he failed to declare several bank accounts in his asset declaration form, in breach of the country’s Code of Conduct laws.
Multiple sources within the bureau confirmed to Premium Times that Justice Tsoho has been invited to appear before it to respond to questions concerning the alleged non-disclosure.
According to officials familiar with the development, the CCB had expected the Chief Judge to appear on Friday, but he did not show up. He is now expected to appear on Monday.
Documents reviewed by Premium Times reportedly indicate that in the asset declaration form he submitted to the bureau on April 29, 2024, Justice Tsoho allegedly did not disclose several bank accounts, including naira and domiciliary accounts.
Among the accounts reportedly omitted are three domiciled with United Bank for Africa – 3000087154, 3000201901 and 3000075689 – as well as an Access Bank account, number 1756816871.
Under Nigeria’s Code of Conduct regime, public officers are required to declare all assets, including bank accounts and funds held in them. The relevant provisions are contained in the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which mandates full disclosure upon assumption of office and at specified intervals thereafter.
Failure to disclose assets or making a false declaration constitutes a breach of the law and may attract severe sanctions.
Insider sources disclosed that if the allegations are substantiated, the bureau could refer the matter to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for further action.
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.
A conviction for false asset declaration would draw comparisons with the case of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, who was convicted and removed from office by the Code of Conduct Tribunal in April 2019 over failure to declare certain bank accounts.
The tribunal had ordered forfeiture of several accounts linked to him. However, in November 2024, the Court of Appeal reversed the conviction following a settlement agreement with the federal government.
The development comes amid increased oversight within the judiciary. The National Judicial Council, chaired by Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is reportedly conducting a broad investigation into allegations involving senior judges, including claims of false asset declarations.
Sources said the probe was triggered by petitions described as “damning and disturbing.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun has pledged reforms aimed at restoring integrity and public confidence in the judiciary, with the NJC recently sanctioning and compulsorily retiring several judges for misconduct.