The Arewa Renaissance Forum (ARF) has condemned in strong terms the ongoing media trial and conviction of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, over Alleged failure to declare his assets.
In a statement issued today Thursday the 26th february 2026 signed by the National President Alhaji Aliyu Mustapha and it’s National Secretary Bulus Haruna, they alleged that it was the same commando style used in removing the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN Justice Walter Onnoghen, in office that they are applying now on justice Tsoho.
According to the pressure group, the law is clear on how to investigat ,prosecute, remove and or discipline a judicial officer through National Judicial Council as stipulated under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)rather than going through the code of conduct Bureau or the tribunal.
The statement in part reads” the Forum has condemned in strongest terms the media trial matted on a great Nigerian, a complete gentleman whose only crime was exercising his constitutional right as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the head of the court “
The Forum said, “Critical national institutions like the judiciary shouldn’t be allowed to blackmailed by selfish persons, calling on president Bola AhmedTinubu and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN to protect the judiciary and allow rule of law to prevail on the matter”
An online publication ( premium times) alleged that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Terhemba Tsoho, has violated Nigeria’s Code of Conduct law by failing to declare some of his bank accounts in his asset declaration form.
The publication further alleged that the asset declaration form he completed and submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau on 29 April 2024, Justice Tsoho did not disclose several bank accounts (naira and domiciliary) as required by law.
They claimed that Justice Tsoho, failed to declare three separate accounts domiciled with United Bank for Africa, namely 3000087154, 3000201901, and 3000075689.
He also did not disclose his ownership of account number 1756816871, domiciled with Access Bank.
Under Nigeria’s Code of Conduct regime, public officers are required to fully disclose all assets, including bank accounts and the funds held in them. Non-disclosure or false declaration constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct
But, in the case of FRN Vs. NGANJIWA (2022) LPELR-58066 (SC), the Supreme Court held that a Judicial Officer cannot be subjected to any form of investigation and prosecution without first having recourse to the disciplinary powers of the NJC.
