Why I can’t transfer Rivers case to Port Harcourt — Justice Tsoho

Embattled Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho has disclosed why he can’t transfer a suit on Rivers State political crisis to Port Harcourt from Abuja.

As the head of the court, he is believed to have the administrative power to move cases the same way he can move judges around the country.

The faction loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has been instituting cases on the political imbroglio engulfing the state in Abuja where it is believed his influence can access favourable rulings.

One such case is suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and Central Bank of Nigeria and 9 others, being heard in Abuja.

The assembly dominated by Wike’s loyalists is seeking to stop the funding of local government councils in the state as the crisis deepens over the conduct of elections.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s men dominate the council secretariats.

Femi Falana, counsel to the governor’s camp has requested for the transfer of the suit to the federal high court in the state capital, relying on the provisions of Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Order 49 Rule 2 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

In a letter dated 25th October, 2024, Justice Tsoho told Falana why he would not undertake such administrative request in reassigning the case.

The response was signed on behalf of the Chief Judge by his special assistant; Joshua Ibrahim Aji, a lawyer.

It reads; “Your letter on the above subject-matter dated 25th October, 2024 refers.

“I am directed by His Lordship, the Honourable, the Chief Judge to inform you that this application should be judicially made by Motion on Notice, so that the Judge is afforded opportunity to know the reasons for it and deliver a ruling accordingly.

“Please, accept the esteemed regards of the Honourable, the Chief Judge.”

Alongside some of his judges, Tsoho is being queried by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun over conflicting rulings on Rivers’ matters.

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