Justice John Terhemba Tsoho was yesterday sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Justice Tsoho was, until July 25 when Justice Adamu Kafarati retired as the Chief Judge, the second most senior judge of the court.
By the oath of office he took yesterday, Justice Tsoho is to preside over the court’s activities in acting capacity, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for the court.
Justice Tsoho is from Mbaduku, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. He was born on June 24, 1959 and was at the University of Lagos between 1980 and 1984, from where he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Law.
He was a Magistrate and later Chief Magistrate, Benue State Judiciary, between January 1988 and March 1996. Justice Tsoho served as the Acting Chief Registrar, Benue State High Court from October 9, 1997 until his appointment as a judge of the Federal High Court on November 12, 1998.
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After administering the oath of office on Justice Tsoho, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Muhammad, said the event was in furtherance of the provision of the constitution which provides that where a court’s Chief Judge retires, the most senior judge be appointed in acting capacity, pending when a substantive Chief Judge is appointed for such court.
The CJN advised Justice Tsoho to sustain the tempo of activities at the Federal High Court and work more to improve on what he was inheriting.
In terms of appointment, Justice Muhammad advised the newly inaugurated Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to always go for the best because “we always want the best and the best for the judiciary.”
The CJN advised Justice Tsoho to visit other divisions of the Federal High Court, outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable him have a first-hand knowledge of what the problems are in those divisions.
“Do not just sit down and be a hearsay person, visit all divisions of your court to know their challenges and think of solutions to the problems. More grease to your elbow and I wish you success and God’s guidance,” the CJN said.,
The swearing-in ceremony, which was earlier slated for 10am, eventually held around 2.40pm. It was learnt that the event was shifted owing to lapses in communication.
The event was witnessed by, among others, serving and retired judicial officers, including former CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed,Justice Kafarati, Justices Binta Nyako and Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola (of the Federal High Court) , former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).
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