Senate confirms Justice Tsoho as CJ of Fed High Court

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Justice John Tsoho as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

The upper legislative chamber also confirmed Hon. Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip as the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

The Senate confirmed Tsoho as substantive CJ on Tuesday following a report submitted by Senator Michael Bamidele, chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters which recommended the confirmation of Tsoho’s appointment.

President Buhari had after the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) recommended that Tsoho be appointed as the CJ of the Federal High Court, written the Senate to confirm him.

Bamidele, while presenting his committee’s report told the Senate that the appointment was required after the former CJ of the court retired at 65 years of age as provided by Section 291(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.

He said, “In compliance with this requirement the erstwhile Chief Judge, retired on July 25, thus making the position of the Chief Judge of the Court, vacant.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, the appointment of Justice Tsoho was made pursuant to Section 250 of the 1999 Constitution.

“It provides that the appointment of a person to the office of the chief judge of the federal high court shall be made by the president on the recommendation of the National Industrial Council subject to confirmation of such appointment by the Senate.”

According to Bamidele, “Tsoho is the most senior judge on the bench of the Federal High Court. He was recommended in order of seniority and preference by the Federal Judicial Service Commission to the National Judicial Council for appointment as Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.”

Senator Gabriel Suswam (PDP-Benue), who is a member of the committee, gave credence to the report. He said that Tsoho was a man of unimpeachable integrity.

On the confirmation of Justice Kanyip as president of NICN, the Senate said his appointment became necessary following Justice Babatunde Adejumo retirement as the President of NICN, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65 years as provided by Section 291(2) of 1999 Constitution.

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