By Achile Danjuma
Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN), a civil society advocacy organization, has commended the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for heeding public calls to investigate the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, over serious allegations of corruption and failure to declare assets.
OWN stated that it has been at the forefront of demands for the CCB to probe the allegations against Justice Tsoho and for the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to prosecute him if sufficient evidence is found. The allegations include operating undeclared bank accounts and the falsification of his age.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, and signed by its Media Coordinator, Aisha Bello, OWN described the CCB’s decision to invite Justice Tsoho as a critical victory for accountability.
“The CCB’s decision to invite Justice Tsoho is a victory for the rule of law and the fight against corruption,” the statement read. “It is a commendable step towards sanitizing and preserving the image and integrity of the judiciary in Nigeria. No individual, regardless of their position in the temple of justice, is above the laws of the land.”
The group referenced recent investigative reports by Premium Times, which alleged that Justice Tsoho operates at least four undeclared accounts containing substantial sums of money in various commercial banks. OWN insisted that such actions, if proven, constitute corruption, professional misconduct, and a direct violation of the Constitution and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
“These are not mere administrative lapses; they strike at the very heart of the integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary and must not be swept under the carpet,” the statement added. “By acceding to the public’s demand for a probe, the CCB has sent a clear message that the era of ‘judicial untouchables’ is coming to an end.”
While describing the invitation as a significant first step, the group urged the Bureau to ensure the investigation is transparent, time-bound, and free from any form of political interference.
OWN further called on Justice Tsoho to fully cooperate with investigators by honoring the invitation and providing clear explanations for the discrepancies in his asset declaration filings.
“OWN Nigeria will continue to closely monitor the proceedings and subsequent actions to ensure that the process is credible and that the integrity of the Federal High Court is ultimately preserved,” the group concluded.