A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate and prosecute Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi on allegations of asset declaration breaches.
The case, filed by self-proclaimed human rights activist and lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje, accused Obi of failing to declare offshore holdings, operating foreign accounts while in public office, and remaining a director of a UK company for 14 months after becoming governor of Anambra State.
These alleged actions, Ogungbeje claimed, violated 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 early November. However, when the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, neither Ogungbeje nor his lawyer appeared. 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. The CCB itself has not publicly commented on the matter.
The judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, had initially granted Ogungbeje’s request to file an application for an order compelling the CCB to act, provided he served the Bureau with the necessary documents. However, when the case was called back on Tuesday, neither Ogungbeje nor his lawyer were present. As a result, Justice Ekwo struck out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.
