The wife of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has reportedly been intercepted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission while travelling to Benue State with $160,000 in cash.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the woman was stopped by EFCC officials during the trip and subsequently returned to Abuja after the large sum of money was allegedly discovered in her possession.
According to the sources, the interception occurred amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding Justice Tsoho over alleged violations of asset declaration rules.
A source privy to the development said, “She was intercepted by EFCC operatives while travelling to Benue State and was subsequently returned to Abuja.
“About $160,000 in cash was reportedly found in her possession at the point of interception.”
The exact circumstances surrounding the funds and the purpose of the journey were still unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the EFCC were unsuccessful, as the anti-graft agency had yet to issue a statement on the incident.
The development comes as Justice Tsoho faces investigation by the Code of Conduct Bureau over allegations bordering on non-declaration of some assets.
The chief judge is expected to appear before the bureau on March 16, 2026, following a petition alleging that he failed to disclose several bank accounts in his asset declaration.
The petition reportedly claimed that the judge did not declare three accounts with the United Bank for Africa and another account with Access Bank.
If the Code of Conduct Bureau establishes a prima facie case, the matter could be referred to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution.
Under Nigerian law, public officials found guilty of false asset declaration risk penalties including removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, and forfeiture of assets not properly declared.
Reacting earlier to the investigation, the Federal High Court said the chief judge was ready to cooperate with the bureau.
In a statement issued by the court’s Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, the judiciary clarified that Justice Tsoho remained committed to honouring the bureau’s invitation.
“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 read.
The court added that the chief judge would appear before the bureau alongside his legal representative, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who is currently outside the country for medical reasons.
“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,” the statement added.
Justice Tsoho has, however, denied the allegations, maintaining that he complied with all legal requirements relating to asset declaration.
As of press time, neither the EFCC nor the office of the Chief Judge had issued any official clarification regarding the reported interception of his wife or the alleged discovery of the cash.
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