By Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
October 11, 2015 – A non-governmental organisation, Human and Environmental Development Agenda(HEDA) has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) over failure of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to declare his asset after leaving office since 1999.
It is also seeking a relief for recommendation of Obasanjo for prosecution for breaching sections of the Act, setting up the Code of Conduct Bureau.
In a petition dated the 25th day of July, 2013, the group accused the former president of using his office for self-aggrandizement, one of which is the much criticised Obasanjo Library project.
“We complained about the following actions of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo while he was President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999-2007 namely, one, 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”, the group said.
Signed by the centre’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the group is requesting information from an earlier petition written by HEDA and dated the 25th day of July, 2013, adding that it is expecting response from the CCB within seven days of the receipt of the update petition.
“Secondly, failure to publicly declare his assets till date and 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 group said.
The group is also seeking relief that Obasanjo 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,” the group said.
