The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling for an inquiry into the actions of two senior judges—Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and Justice Peter Lifu—concerning a case involving the party and its former National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
According to a petition dated June 1, 2026, submitted by the party’s representative, Nkemakolam Ukandu, the judges are accused of judicial misconduct, including abuse of power, defiance of court orders, and demonstration of apparent bias in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.
Ukandu contended that the Supreme Court, in Appeal No. SC/CV/180/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe, had instructed that the case be returned to Justice Emeka Nwite, who originally presided over it. However, Justice Tsoho allegedly reassigned the matter to Justice Peter Lifu, disregarding the apex court’s directive.
The petitioner also noted that during a hearing on May 8, 2026, Justice Nwite ordered the plaintiff to submit a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment and postponed the case indefinitely until that requirement was met. The reassignment of the case and its scheduling for hearing before Justice Lifu on June 3, according to Ukandu, constituted a violation of both the Supreme Court’s ruling and Justice Nwite’s earlier order.
Ukandu further charged that Justice Tsoho misused his administrative authority by reassigning the case despite the Supreme Court’s decision, which he emphasized is binding on all courts under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution. This reassignment, he argued, raised concerns about bias and enabled forum shopping.
The petition highlighted that the party’s legal counsel had previously raised objections regarding the reassignment, specifically opposing the transfer of the case to Justice Lifu or Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Additionally, the complaint accuses both judges of violating their judicial oaths and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Ukandu urged the NJC to thoroughly examine the conduct of Justices Tsoho and Lifu, ascertain whether they misused judicial authority or disobeyed court orders, and take appropriate disciplinary action if they are found guilty. He also requested that the council compel immediate adherence to what he described as the Supreme Court’s remittance directive and Justice Nwite’s earlier order.