Bias allegations rock Federal High Court as judges linked to Wike in NJC petition
Fresh controversy has trailed proceedings in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025 — Hon. Dumebi Kachikwu & 4 Ors vs. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 5 Ors — as a formal petition has been lodged before the National Judicial Council accusing two judges of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, of alleged bias and improper judicial conduct.
The petitioner, Mr. Nkemakolam Ukandu, alleged in a petition that Justices Joyce O. Abdulmalik and John Tsoho acted in ways that raise concerns about neutrality in a matter said to have political implications involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ukandu specifically alleged that Justice Tsoho reassigned the matter to Justice Abdulmalik despite pending legal challenges contesting the reassignment, as well as what he described as a directive to maintain the status quo. He further claimed that politically sensitive cases allegedly linked to Wike are frequently assigned to judges perceived to be sympathetic to the minister. These claims, however, remain unverified, and no independent confirmation has been provided.
The petition also referenced a viral video allegedly showing the two judges in the office of the FCT Minister — a development the petitioner argued has fueled public perception concerns about judicial independence. As of press time, neither the judges nor Wike has publicly responded to the allegations.
The substantive suit was instituted by Hon. Dumebi Kachikwu and four others against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and five additional defendants. While the full details of the dispute remain before the court, proceedings on February 25, 2026 reportedly continued despite a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the matter.
According to Ukandu, his counsel, Kalu Kalu Agu, notified the court of the subsisting appeal and an application seeking a stay of proceedings. Nevertheless, the court allegedly proceeded to hear three interlocutory applications and delivered bench rulings.
The petitioner further alleged unequal treatment regarding adjournment requests, claiming that opposing counsel was granted latitude to regularise filings, while similar considerations were not extended to his own applications. The case was subsequently adjourned to March 6, 2026.
Among the reliefs sought, Ukandu urged the NJC to direct Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from further proceedings and to investigate both judges for alleged misconduct. He also warned that failure by the Council to act before March 2, 2026 may compel him to seek judicial remedies against both the NJC and the affected judges.
At the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the NJC, the judges named in the petition, or Minister Wike.
