EFCC Intercepts Chief Judge Tsoho’s Wife With $160,000 Cash En Route To Benue Amid Asset Declaration Probe – Report

The wife of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, was reportedly intercepted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while travelling to Benue State and was subsequently returned to Abuja, according to sources familiar with the development.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the EFCC operatives allegedly discovered $160,000 in cash in her possession at the time of the interception.

“She was intercepted by EFCC operatives while travelling to Benue State and was subsequently returned to Abuja,” a source privy to the information said.

“$160,000 cash was reportedly found in her possession at the point of interception.”

The circumstances surrounding the funds and the purpose of the trip have not yet been officially clarified.

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding Justice Tsoho.

The Chief Judge is scheduled to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on March 16, 2026, over allegations that he failed to declare his assets as required by law.

A petition accused Justice Tsoho of violating the Code of Conduct law by allegedly failing to fully disclose his assets, including three bank accounts with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and another with Access Bank.

If the Code of Conduct Bureau establishes a prima facie case, the anti-corruption body could initiate charges against the Chief Judge. A conviction could attract a prison term of up to 10 years as well as a 10-year ban from holding public office.

In a statement issued last Monday, the Director of Information of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Catherine Christopher, said the Chief Judge remained fully committed to cooperating with the bureau regarding its invitation.

The statement added that Justice Tsoho would appear before the bureau alongside his legal representative, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who was reported to be outside the country for medical reasons.

According to the court, the senior advocate has indicated his willingness to accompany the Chief Judge to the bureau upon his return to Nigeria.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the Honourable Chief Judge, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, remains fully committed to cooperating with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in respect of its invitation,” the statement read.

“In accordance with his constitutional right to consult and be represented by counsel of his choice, his legal representative, Kanu Godwin Agabi, CON, SAN, has indicated his readiness to accompany the Honourable Chief Judge to the Bureau upon his return to Nigeria, he being presently outside the country for medical reasons.”

The court also disclosed that the position had been formally communicated to the bureau, reaffirming the Chief Judge’s willingness to appear and fully participate in the process in accordance with the law and established constitutional safeguards.

According to the statement, Justice Tsoho requested the bureau to schedule his appearance for any date beginning from the week of March 16, which he indicated would be most convenient for him and his legal counsel.

Justice Tsoho’s planned appearance before the bureau follows an investigation by Premium Times which alleged that the judge failed to declare several bank accounts as required by law, potentially breaching Nigeria’s Code of Conduct regulations.

The report, based on documents and interviews, stated that in an asset declaration submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on April 29, 2024, Justice Tsoho allegedly failed to list at least three accounts with United Bank for Africa and one account with Access Bank in his name.

Such omissions, if proven, would constitute a violation of Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Under Nigerian law, public officers are required to declare all assets, liabilities and bank accounts, including domiciliary accounts.

False or incomplete asset declarations can attract penalties such as removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, and the forfeiture of improperly declared assets.

Justice Tsoho’s invitation by the CCB was reportedly issued as part of the bureau’s response to the findings of the investigation, although officials have yet to publicly outline the specific allegations against him.

Justice Tsoho, however, has denied the allegations, insisting that he has fully complied with all legal requirements for asset declaration.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) nor the office of the Chief Judge had issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the interception or the reportedly discovered cash in his wife’s possession.(SaharaReporters)