A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by human rights activist and lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate and prosecute Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for alleged asset declaration breaches. The case 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.
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, neither Ogungbeje nor his lawyer appeared, leading Justice Inyang Ekwo to strike out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution. Ogungbeje’s claim of the CCB’s “crass dereliction of public duty” for not acting on his complaint remains unaddressed, and the CCB has not publicly commented on the matter.
The judge had granted Ogungbeje’s request to file an application compelling the CCB to act, provided he served the Bureau with the necessary documents. However, the case was struck out due to the absence of Ogungbeje and his lawyer during the hearing.
