Court dismisses asset declaration suit against Peter Obi
By Faith Awa Maji
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit aimed at compelling the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate and prosecute Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi on allegations of asset declaration breaches.
The case, brought forth by self-proclaimed human rights activist Olukoya Ogungbeje, alleged breaches in Obi’s asset declaration.
Ogungbeje accused Obi of failure to declare offshore holdings, operating foreign accounts while in public office, and serving as a director of a UK company for 14 months after assuming the position of governor of Anambra State.
These allegations were claimed to violate the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and the Nigerian Constitution.
The court had initially granted Ogungbeje leave to file an application for an order of mandamus against the CCB in November, Ogungbeje and his lawyer failed to appear during the recent hearing on Tuesday. Consequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.
Ogungbeje’s claim that the CCB committed “crass dereliction of public duty” by not acting on his complaint remains unaddressed, and the CCB has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
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