A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a complaint seeking to force the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate and punish Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi on wealth disclosure violations.
The action was brought by self-proclaimed human rights activist and lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje, who accused Obi of neglecting to report offshore holdings, managing foreign accounts while in public office, and being a director of a UK firm for 14 months after becoming governor of Anambra State.
Ogungbeje stated that the alleged activities breached the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as well as the Nigerian Constitution.
In early November, the court gave Ogungbeje leave to submit an application for an order of mandamus against the CCB. However, neither Ogungbeje nor his counsel were present at the court on Tuesday. As a result, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the case for lack of diligence in prosecution.
Ogungbeje’s accusation that the CCB engaged in “crass dereliction of public duty” by failing to act on his complaint went unanswered. The CCB has not officially commented on the situation.
Justice Inyang Ekwo first allowed Ogungbeje’s request to submit an application for an order ordering the CCB to act, on the condition that he serve the Bureau with the appropriate papers.
However, neither Ogungbeje nor his lawyer were present when the matter was called back on Tuesday. As a consequence, Justice Ekwo dismissed the case for lack of diligence in prosecution.
