ALDRAP Petitions NJC, CCB Over Alleged Bias, Conflict of Interest Against Federal High Court Chief Judge

The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over allegations of discrimination, prejudice and conflict of interest against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

The association, in petitions signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, accused the Chief Judge of actions it claims have frustrated efforts to establish the “Blue Silks” rank for non-litigation lawyers as an alternative to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title.

ALDRAP’s petition to the NJC, dated August 18, 2026, centres on a legal dispute involving the association and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC). The group questioned Justice Tsoho’s involvement in an LPPC disciplinary investigation concerning three SANs who were appointed patrons and matrons of ALDRAP.

The association alleged that Justice Tsoho had made prejudicial comments about the Blue Silks initiative while the legality of the rank was already before the Federal High Court. ALDRAP argued that his involvement could have created an appearance of bias in proceedings surrounding the case.

The lawyers also asked the NJC to investigate why the lawsuit, initially assigned to Justice Mohammed Garba Umar after it was filed in November 2025, was later reassigned to Justice James Omotosho in March 2026. They questioned whether the reassignment was connected to concerns about the possible outcome of the case.

ALDRAP further alleged that a report produced by an investigation panel chaired by Justice Tsoho had effectively reached a conclusion against the Blue Silks initiative before the court delivered judgment. The association claimed the report could have influenced the subsequent proceedings, allegations it says it is prepared to support with documentary and oral evidence.

In a separate petition dated August 19, 2027, ALDRAP asked the CCB to investigate what it described as a possible breach of Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1991. The association alleged that Justice Tsoho faced a conflict of interest by serving as chairman of an LPPC disciplinary panel while the legality of the Blue Silks rank was already the subject of litigation before the Federal High Court.

ALDRAP argued that the Chief Judge should have recused himself or disclosed his previous involvement in the case instead of participating in the LPPC panel. It further alleged that his conduct amounted to an abuse of office under the relevant provisions of the law.

The association said its petitions before the NJC and CCB are separate complaints based on different legal and ethical provisions. It called for urgent investigations by both bodies, insisting that appropriate action by statutory agencies would help strengthen accountability within Nigeria’s legal and judicial institutions.