Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN), a civil society advocacy group has commended the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for acceding to open an investigation on Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, over allegations of corruption and undeclared accounts.
OWN said it had been at the forefront of the public demand for the Justice Tsoho’s investigation by the CCB and possible prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged undeclared accounts and age falsification levelled against him.
OWN, in a statement signed by its Media Coordinator, Aisha Bello, insisted that such allegations border on corruption, professional misconduct, and constitutional violations that strike at the heart of the integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary and as such must not be swept under the carpet.
“According to recent investigative reports by Premium Times, Justice Tsoho allegedly operates at least four undeclared accounts reportedly holding huge amounts of money in various commercial banks in utter violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
“The CCB’s decision to invite Justice Tsoho is a victory for the rule of law, the fight against corruption and 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.
“By acceding to the demands of the public for a thorough probe, the CCB has sent a clear message that the era of ‘judicial untouchables’ is coming to an end.”
The group described the CCB’s invitation as a significant first step, but urged the Bureau to ensure that the process is transparent, time-bound, and free from political interference.
It further called on Justice Tsoho to honor the invitation and provide a clear explanation for the discrepancies in his filings.
“OWN Nigeria will continue to closely monitor the proceedings on Monday and subsequent actions to ensure that the integrity of the Federal High Court is preserved,” the group said .
Credit Leadership