Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly intercepted the wife of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, John Terhemba Tsoho, while she was travelling to Benue State and returned her to Abuja, sources have told SaharaReporters.
According to sources familiar with the incident, 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 with knowledge of the matter told SaharaReporters.
“$160,000 cash was reportedly found in her possession at the point of interception.”
The exact circumstances surrounding the funds and the purpose of the trip remain unclear, as neither the EFCC nor the office of the Chief Judge has issued an official statement on the development.
The reported incident comes amid increasing scrutiny surrounding Justice Tsoho, who is scheduled to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on March 16, 2026, over allegations of failure to properly declare his assets.
A petition submitted to the bureau accused the Chief Judge of violating Nigeria’s Code of Conduct laws by allegedly failing to disclose several bank accounts, including three with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and another with Access Bank.
If the bureau establishes a prima facie case, it could initiate charges against the judge before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, where a conviction could attract penalties including imprisonment and a ban from holding public office.
Earlier, the Director of Information of the Federal High Court, Catherine Christopher, said in a statement that the Chief Judge remains committed to cooperating with the bureau regarding its invitation.
According to the statement, Justice Tsoho will appear before the CCB alongside his legal counsel, Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), who is currently outside the country for medical reasons.
“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 in respect of its invitation,” the statement said.
The court added that Agabi had indicated his readiness to accompany the Chief Judge to the bureau once he returns to Nigeria.
Justice Tsoho’s invitation by the CCB followed an investigation by Premium Times which alleged that the judge failed to declare several bank accounts as required by law.
According to the report, an asset declaration submitted to the bureau on April 29, 2024, allegedly omitted at least three accounts with UBA and one with Access Bank.
Under Nigerian law, public officers are required to declare all assets, liabilities and bank accounts, including domiciliary accounts. False or incomplete asset declarations may attract penalties such as removal from office, forfeiture of undeclared assets and disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years.
Justice Tsoho has denied the allegations, maintaining that he complied fully with the legal requirements governing asset declaration.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the EFCC nor the office of the Chief Judge had publicly commented on the reported interception or the alleged discovery of the cash.
