Senior officials within the Nigerian government and judiciary are reportedly mounting pressure on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing probe of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, John Tsoho, over allegations of incomplete asset declaration.

Sources familiar with the matter said the appeals are aimed at persuading the president to prevail on the Code of Conduct Bureau to either terminate or soften its investigation into the judge.

Multiple sources said those lobbying the president include a cabinet minister from the South-South region, influential political figures from Benue State, where Justice Tsoho hails from, as well as senior actors within the judiciary.

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According to the sources, the appeals have been made both directly to the president and indirectly through some of his close associates.

One source familiar with the discussions told Premium Times that some stakeholders believe early intervention by the president could prevent the matter from escalating.

“The feeling among some stakeholders is that if the president steps in early enough, the matter may not escalate,” the source said.

The controversy has also reverberated within the judiciary.

The National Judicial Council, chaired by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had scheduled an emergency meeting for March 6 to deliberate on the allegations against the Chief Judge.

However, the meeting was suddenly cancelled late on March 5.

Members of the council were reportedly not given an official explanation, although insiders suggested the cancellation was intended to allow more time for behind-the-scenes consultations.

Sources said President Tinubu has not taken a final position on the matter but has promised to reflect and consult further.

However, some of his advisers are said to be cautioning against any intervention, warning that it could undermine the government’s anti-corruption stance.

They argue that interfering in the investigation could expose the administration to criticism from opposition parties and anti-corruption advocates.

When contacted, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he was unaware of any pressure being mounted on the president over the issue.

Nigeria’s Constitution outlines a strict procedure for removing heads of superior courts.

Under Section 292(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, the president cannot remove the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court unilaterally.

Instead, removal can only occur if the Senate of Nigeria passes a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority asking the president to remove the judicial officer.

Legal experts say the requirement was designed to protect judicial independence and prevent political interference in the judiciary.

The probe follows an investigation alleging that Justice Tsoho failed to declare several bank accounts in his asset declaration form submitted to the bureau on April 29, 2024.

Documents reviewed reportedly showed that the judge did not disclose three accounts with United Bank for Africa and another account with Access Bank.

Under Nigeria’s Code of Conduct regime, public officials must disclose all assets, including bank accounts and funds held in them.

If the allegations are proven before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the judge could face penalties ranging from removal from office to disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, as well as forfeiture of undeclared assets.

Justice Tsoho has said he is ready to cooperate with investigators.

In a statement issued through the court’s Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, the Chief Judge said he would appear before the CCB once his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, returns to Nigeria from a medical trip abroad.

“The Honourable Chief Judge remains fully committed to cooperating with the Code of Conduct Bureau,” the statement said.

The unfolding controversy has drawn comparisons with the case of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, who was convicted and removed from office in 2019 after the Code of Conduct Tribunal found him guilty of failing to declare several bank accounts.

Although the Court of Appeal of Nigeria later overturned Onnoghen’s conviction in 2024 following a settlement agreement with the federal government.