The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling for an investigation into the conduct of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu over their handling of a suit involving the party and its former National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
In a petition dated June 1, 2026, and addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the petitioner, Nkemakolam Ukandu, alleged abuse of judicial authority, disobedience to court orders, and manifest bias in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 between Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC.
Ukandu claimed that the Supreme Court, in Appeal No. SC/CV/180/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, had directed that the matter be remitted to Justice Emeka Nwite, who had initially presided over the case.
According to the petition, Justice Tsoho subsequently reassigned the matter to Justice Peter Lifu, a move the petitioner argued was contrary to the directive of the apex court.
The petition further stated that during proceedings on May 8, 2026, Justice Nwite directed the plaintiff to provide a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment and adjourned the matter indefinitely pending compliance with the order.
Ukandu contended that the reassignment of the case and its subsequent scheduling before Justice Lifu on June 3 amounted to a violation of both the Supreme Court’s judgment and the order previously issued by Justice Nwite.
He accused Justice Tsoho of abusing his administrative powers by reassigning the matter despite what he described as a binding decision of the Supreme Court under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The petitioner also alleged that the transfer created an appearance of bias and encouraged forum shopping.
According to him, concerns regarding the reassignment had previously been raised before the court by his counsel, who reportedly objected to the transfer of the matter to either Justice Lifu or Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The petition further alleged that the actions of the two judicial officers amounted to breaches of the judicial oath and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Ukandu urged the National Judicial Council to investigate the conduct of Justices Tsoho and Lifu, determine whether there was any abuse of judicial authority or disobedience of court orders, and impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions if any wrongdoing is established.
He also called on the council to ensure immediate compliance with what he described as the Supreme Court’s remittance order as well as the earlier directive issued by Justice Nwite.
