FHC Chief Judge rejects bid to reassign Nestoil, Neconde case

The Chief Judge of Nigeria's Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has denied an application by First Trustees Limited to reassign a lawsuit involving FBNQuest Merchant Bank, First Trustees Limited, Nestoil Limited, and Neconde Energy Limited. The case, marked FHC/L/CS/2127/2025, will proceed before Justice Daniel Osiagor.

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the application for reassignment was opposed by the defendants through separate rejoinders filed between June 12 and June 16, 2026.

First Trustees Limited had requested the reassignment, but the defendants opposed the move. They argued in separate filings that the grounds for the reassignment request were unsubstantiated and misinterpreted a recent Supreme Court judgment. The defendants contended that the Supreme Court ruling did not disqualify Justice Osiagor or order the case's transfer.

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Rather, it reinforces the desirability of his continuing with the matter.

Justice Tsoho concurred with the defendants' submissions. He stated that the Supreme Court's observations neither expressly nor implicitly suggested that Justice Osiagor should be removed from the case. The Chief Judge noted that Supreme Court decisions are binding on all Nigerian authorities, as per Section 235 of the Constitution. Consequently, he found no basis to grant the application, ruling that Justice Osiagor will continue to handle the matter.

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In the light of all the foregoing, the application for reassignment of the case(s) is refused, and Hon. Justice Osiagor shall continue with the conduct of same.