A civil society organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), has called on President Bola Tinubu to resist alleged pressure to intervene in the ongoing investigation into the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, over alleged violations of asset declaration requirements.
The organisation expressed concern over reports that political and institutional actors were lobbying the Presidency to halt, delay or weaken the investigation being conducted by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
CHRICED executive director, Brahim Zikirullahi, in a statement on Sunday, recalled that the CCB was probing allegations that Justice Tsoho failed to declare some assets as required by law.
Zikirullahi said the alleged attempts to influence the process raised serious concerns about possible interference with an investigation that should be strictly guided by the rule of law and due process.
The organisation warned that any move to obstruct the bureau’s work would undermine the independence of anti-corruption institutions and further erode public confidence in Nigeria’s governance system.
“Any attempt, direct or indirect, to obstruct the lawful work of the Code of Conduct Bureau would undermine the rule of law and further erode public trust in the nation’s governance architecture,” the group said.
It stressed that asset declaration laws were designed to promote transparency and accountability in public service and must apply equally to all public officials, irrespective of status or influence.
The group recalled that a similar allegation involving failure to declare assets led to the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in 2019 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Zikirullahi, allowing any public official to evade scrutiny would create the impression that some individuals were above the law.
The organisation also emphasised that, as head of a court that handles some of the country’s most sensitive political and economic disputes, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court must demonstrate the highest standards of accountability and integrity.
It added that the judiciary’s credibility could be preserved only if the investigation proceeded transparently and without interference.
“Any executive intrusion into this matter risks damaging the anti-corruption credentials of the current administration and setting a precedent that could embolden future political interference in investigations involving public officials,” the statement added.
CHRICED, however, noted that every citizen, including judicial officers, was entitled to the presumption of innocence, but stressed that allegations of misconduct must still be subjected to lawful and transparent scrutiny.
The organisation urged the President to allow the Code of Conduct Bureau to perform its statutory responsibilities independently and without fear or favour.
It also called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to handle the matter in a way that would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary, noting that the institution was already facing widespread allegations of corruption.
The group further urged the media, civil society organisations and professional bodies to continue promoting transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s justice sector.
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