Power Play in Abuja: Minister, Top Officials Allegedly Pressuring Tinubu To Stop Probe Of CJ Tsoho” ⚖️🔥

Senior figures within Nigeria’s government and judicial system are reportedly urging Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step into the ongoing investigation involving John Tsoho over claims that he did not fully declare his assets.

Sources familiar with the situation say the appeals are intended to convince the president to influence the Code of Conduct Bureau to either discontinue or reduce the scope of its probe into the judge.

According to insiders, those lobbying the president reportedly include a cabinet minister from Nigeria’s South-South region, prominent political actors from Benue State—Justice Tsoho’s home state—and some senior members of the judiciary.

The pressure is said to have been communicated both directly to the president and indirectly through close allies within his circle.

One source involved in the discussions told Premium Times that some stakeholders believe an early intervention from the president could prevent the issue from escalating further.

“The view among some stakeholders is that if the president intervenes soon enough, the matter might not grow into a bigger crisis,” the source said.

The controversy has also created tension within the judiciary itself.

The National Judicial Council, chaired by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had planned an emergency meeting on March 6 to discuss the allegations against the Chief Judge.

However, the meeting was abruptly cancelled late on March 5.

Council members were reportedly not given a formal explanation, although insiders suggested the cancellation was meant to allow additional time for internal consultations.

Sources say President Tinubu has yet to take a final stance on the issue, but has indicated he will reflect on the matter and seek further advice.

Some of his advisers, however, are reportedly warning against any presidential intervention, arguing that it could weaken the administration’s anti-corruption credibility.

They caution that interfering with the probe might expose the government to criticism from opposition parties and anti-corruption advocates.

When contacted, the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he was unaware of any pressure being placed on the president regarding the investigation.

Nigeria’s constitution sets a strict legal process for removing the heads of superior courts.

Under Section 292(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, the president does not have the authority to remove the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on his own.

Such a removal can only take place if the Senate of Nigeria passes a resolution backed by a two-thirds majority requesting the president to remove the judicial officer.

Legal experts say this provision was created to safeguard judicial independence and prevent political influence within the judiciary.

The investigation stems from allegations that Justice Tsoho did not disclose several bank accounts in his asset declaration form submitted to the bureau on April 29, 2024.

Documents reviewed reportedly indicate that the judge failed to declare three accounts held with United Bank for Africa and another account with Access Bank.

Under Nigeria’s Code of Conduct laws, public officials are required to declare all assets, including bank accounts and the funds contained in them.

If the allegations are proven before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the judge could face penalties such as removal from office, a ban from holding public office for up to ten years, and forfeiture of undeclared assets.

Justice Tsoho has indicated his willingness to cooperate with investigators.

In a statement released through the court’s Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, the Chief Judge said he would appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau once his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, returns to Nigeria from a medical trip abroad.

“The Honourable Chief Judge remains fully committed to cooperating with the Code of Conduct Bureau,” the statement said.

The developing controversy has drawn comparisons to the case of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, who was convicted and removed from office in 2019 after the tribunal found him guilty of failing to declare several bank accounts.

However, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria later overturned Onnoghen’s conviction in 2024 following a settlement agreement with the federal government.