The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sued the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, over allegations of corruption, disobedience of court orders, and bias against the party regarding a pending case at the Abuja division of the court.
The suit, dated and filed on June 4, 2026, by the National Welfare Secretary of the ADC, Nkemakolam Ukandu, names the National Judicial Council (NJC), Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu—the judge newly assigned to hear the suit challenging the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.
The plaintiff, who is seeking to be joined in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the Mark-led leadership, is accusing the Chief Judge and Justice Lifu of bias and a willingness to do the bidding of individuals acting against the interests of the party.
Recall that on June 1, 2026, a formal petition seeking the removal of Justice Tsoho, and Justice Lifu was submitted to the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The petition, marked received by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on June 2, 2026, was filed by Ukandu. It accuses the judicial officers of similar bias against the ADC.
Ukandu, in the latest suit he personally filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, faulted the Chief Judge for reassigning the case to Justice Lifu, in alleged disregard of orders from both the Supreme Court and Justice Emeka Nwite, who was initially hearing the suit.
The plaintiff, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1165/2026, recalled that an appeal from an interlocutory decision by Justice Nwite rose to the Supreme Court, wherein the apex court on April 30, 2026, “made an order of remittance of Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025: Nafiu Bala Gombe VS. ADC & 4 ORS back to Justice Emeka Nwite for continuation of hearing of pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court”.
He stated that upon resumption of hearing before Justice Nwite, the plaintiff wrote to the Chief Judge praying for a reassignment of the matter to another judge.
“All the Defendants’ Counsel including Counsel to the Applicants seeking to be joined in this matter opposed the said application by the Plaintiff’s Counsel and Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter sine die pending the service of the said letter by the Plaintiff’s on all the parties in the matter, outcome of the letter by the 2nd Defendant and the furnishing of the CTC of the judgement of the Supreme Court to the court.
“Without complying with the orders of the Supreme Court and Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, the 2nd Defendant in abuse of his judicial powers reassigned this matter” to Justice Lifu, Ukandu stated.
He added that Justice Lifu on his part, pretending not to see the order of Justice Nwite, went ahead and fixed the matter for hearing on June 3, 2026.
Ukandu recalled that the ADC had on May 7 informed the world through a press release that the Chief Judge planned to reassign the case to another judge favorable to the plaintiff. He noted that the party had “warned against such unethical practice but the 2nd Defendant despite the public outcry reassigned the suit to the 3rd Defendant who have been nick-named as “Wike Judges”.”
According to Ukandu, Justice Lifu started presiding over the matter despite taking judicial notice of the orders of the Supreme Court and Justice Nwite. While claiming that no hearing notice was served on his counsel, Kalu Kalu Agu, for the June 3, 2026 proceedings, Ukandu alleged that the Chief Judge had previously been accused by a renowned Professor of Law, Chidi Odinkalu, of assigning political cases involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s interests to Justice Lifu.
“The latest accusation made by the erudite Professor of Law against the 1st and 2nd Defendants was published by The GUARDIAN Newspaper and the Claimant hereby reproduces same hereunder and it is hereby pleaded:
“The Plaintiff believes as his matter, pending before the 3rd Defendant’s Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, affects Nyesom Wike’s interest, he would not get justice.
“The 3rd Defendant has consistently disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis which is one of the hallmarks of the judicial system and has displayed clear bias against me.
“The 3rd Defendant is on a dangerous mission to destroy all the opposition parties in Nigeria to serve the interest of Nyesom Wike, the Ruling APC and Bola Ahmed Tinubu whom he visited shamelessly begging for landed property in Abuja which is against the code of conduct for Judicial Officers in Nigeria.
“Nyesom Wike is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the cabinet of the President of Nigeria and he supports the president’s reelection aspiration.
“Nyesom Wike is believed to be the cause of the protracted internal crises bewildering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and does not want a strong opposition political party to exist to contest against the president of Nigeria in 2027 Presidential Election.
“The 3rd Defendant, in his proceedings had shown disdain to the ethics of judicial officers and the legal profession.
“The 2nd and 3rd Defendants are handling the Plaintiff’s matter as if they are untouchable and no judicial consequences for their wrongful actions and/or inactions”.
While disclosing that he has already petitioned the NJC and the Chief Justice of Nigeria over corruption, abuse of judicial powers, disobedience to court orders, and bias, Ukandu is seeking a declaration that it is the responsibility of the NJC to investigate complaints against judicial officers and mete out appropriate sanctions.
Ukandu prayed the court to direct the NJC “to investigate the allegation of corruption, abuse of Judicial Powers, disobedience to court orders and manifest bias against the 2nd and 3rd Defendants with regard to their involvement in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025: between Gombe and the ADC as encapsulated in the petition to the NJC against the 2nd and 3rd Defendants.”
Other reliefs being sought include an order of injunction restraining Justice Peter Lifu from continuing to preside over Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, pending the hearing and determination of the petition to the NJC.
He is also asking for another order of the Court directing Justice Lifu to recuse himself from further hearing in the suit on grounds of corruption, abuse of judicial powers, disobedience to court orders, and a manifest bias or grave likelihood of bias against the plaintiff.