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Group Petitions CCB Over Update On Former President Obasanjo’s Assets

October 12, 2015

The non-governmental resource center, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), has petitioned the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), to demand an update on an earlier request made to the CCB over corruption and abuse of power by former President Olusegun Obasanjo while in office between 1999 and 2007.

The non-governmental resource center, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), has petitioned the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), to demand an update on an earlier request made to the CCB over corruption and abuse of power by  former President Olusegun Obasanjo while in office between 1999 and 2007.

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The latest petition signed by the center’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, requested CCB response to an earlier petition written by HEDA, dated the July 25th, 2013.  Mr. Suraju added that HEDA expected a response from the CCB seven days after the receipt of the updated petition. 

“In a petition dated the July 25th, 2013, we complained about the following actions of Olusegun Obasanjo while he was President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999-2007. First, the former President used his position to solicit for monetary gifts, benefits, and donations from government contractors, federal parastatals, oil companies, politicians, government functionaries which cut across all tiers of government as well as private individuals /sector to fund his library project.”

Mr. Suraju added that the second request asked by HEDA was a response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s “failure to publicly declare his assets till date and abuse of power.”

“All of these actions constitute a gross contravention of Items 6, 9 and 13 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers as provided in Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,” he added.

Their requests were as follows:

One; That the complaint of the Petitioner be investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau;

Two; That the Respondent be recommended for prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal pursuant to Item 15(1), Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. 

“However, till this moment, we are not aware of any concrete step that has so far been taken to launch an investigation into the allegations contained therein. In view of the fact that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is aware of its responsibilities as demonstrated in the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, HEDA therefore urgently requests for the update on the abovementioned subject matter pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011,

“HEDA is requesting this information based on its mandate. We look forward to receiving this information promptly, and in any event, within Seven (7) days of the receipt of this application as provided for in Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.”

The full petition can be read below:

 

October 6, 2015

The Chairman,

Code of Conduct Bureau,

Federal Secretariat Complex,

Shehu Shagari Way,

Maitama, Abuja.

Dear Sir,

FOI: UPDATE ON THE PETITION BETWEEN HEDA RESOURCE CENTRE V CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) is a non-governmental and non-partisan human rights and development league. It has the mandate to defend, protect and promote universally reecognised human rights and environmental justice in Nigeria and Africa, in accordance with international standards. These objectives are pursued through research and publications, campaigns,  human rights education and empowerment projects and programmes.

In a petition dated the 25th day of July, 2013, we complained about the  following actions of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo while he was President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999-2007 namely:

1. Use of his position to solicit for monetary gifts, benefits and donations from government contractors, federal parastatals, oil companies, politicians, government functionaries that cut across all tiers of government as well as private individuals /sector to  fund his library project.
2. Failure to publicly declare his assets till date.
3. Abuse of power.

All these actions constitute a gross contravention of  Items 6, 9 and 13 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers as provided in Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the  Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The reliefs prayed for were as follows:

1. That the complaint of the Petitioner be investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau;
2. That the Respondent be recommended for prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal pursuant to Item 15(1), Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. 

However, till this moment, we are not aware of any concrete step that has so far been taken to launch an investigation into the allegations contained therein. In view of the fact that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is now alive to its responsibilities as demonstrated in the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, HEDA therefore urgently requests for the update on the abovementioned subject matter pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011,

HEDA is requesting this information based on its mandate. We look forward to receiving this information promptly, and in any event, within Seven (7) days of the receipt of this application as provided for in Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. 

Sincerely,

Olanrewaju Suraju

Chairman