United Benue Bar Condemns CCT’s Invitation of Federal High Court Chief Judge, John Tsoho

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The United Benue Bar, comprising the Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has expressed concern over the invitation extended to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The legal body made this known in a statement signed by the chairmen of the three branches: Terna Yaji of the Makurdi Branch, Felix Uwar of the Gboko Branch, and John Ojoh of the Otukpo Branch. The statement was made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The group maintained that the recent invitation issued by the Code of Conduct Bureau to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court over an alleged investigation contradicts well-established legal authorities cited in the statement.
According to the group, the CCT lacks the constitutional authority to summon a sitting Chief Judge. It argued that it is settled law, reaffirmed by several judicial authorities, that only the National Judicial Council (NJC) has the power to investigate or discipline serving judicial officers.
They further noted that in FRN v. Nganjiwa (2022) LPELR-58066 (SC), which was later followed in Opene v. NJC & Ors (2023) LPELR-60656 (CA), the courts held that a judicial officer cannot be subjected to any form of investigation or prosecution without first invoking the disciplinary powers vested in the Chief Justice of Nigeria through the National Judicial Council.
The group also recalled a similar situation during the tenure of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, who was removed from office after being found guilty of false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
According to them, Onnoghen’s appeal to the Court of Appeal resulted in a settlement agreement between the Federal Government and the former CJN, leading to his acquittal and the payment of all his entitlements, although he had already been removed from office.
“We strongly condemn this sinister move to unlawfully remove the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. The allegations against him appear to follow the same predictable pattern and clearly suggest an attempt to shortchange minorities who have risen through hard work to attain such enviable positions,” the statement said.
The United Benue Bar also expressed support for the position of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, SAN, who has similarly condemned the invitation by the CCT.
“While we do not hold brief for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, it is our position that the rule of law must prevail by first referring the allegations to the National Judicial Council for investigation and possible recommendation. If he is found to have breached the Code of Conduct for judicial officers, the appropriate recommendation can then be made,” the statement added.