Asset Declaration: Court strikes out suit seeking Peter Obi’s investigation, prosecution

Asset Declaration: Court strikes out suit seeking Peter Obi’s investigation, prosecution

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit asking it to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate and prosecute former presidential candidate Peter Obi for allegedly violating asset declaration rules.

Ruling on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

Olukoya Ogungbeje who claimed to be a human rights activist and lawyer, filed the suit against the CCB as sole respondent.

In the motion on notice dated July 3 but filed on November 6 by the applicant himself, he sought an order of mandamus compelling the CCB to exercise its constitutional and statutory duty, function and obligation to invite, investigate complaints; refer and prosecute Mr Obi before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on the allegations and complaints of breaches of the constitutional provisions on assets declaration.

Ogungbeje alleged that Obi failed to declare his offshore holdings and their associated assets.

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He alleged that Obi operated a foreign account while being a public officer and continuation on being a director of Next International (UK) Limited for 14 months after becoming the governor of Anambra.

He said this was contrary to provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

On November 1, Justice Ekwo granted Ogungbeje’s motion ex-parte moved by Odafe Ojisua, for leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the CCB to invite, investigate and prosecute Obi before the CCT.

The judge, who directed Ogungbeje to file his application within seven days, ordered him to serve CCB at least 14 days before the next adjourned date.

But when the matter was called on Tuesday, neither the applicant nor his lawyer was in court, and Justice Ekwo consequently struck out the suit.

Asset Declaration: Court strikes out suit seeking Peter Obi’s investigation, prosecution