Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Investigation, Prosecution of Peter Obi Over Alleged Asset Declaration Breach

At the Federal High Court in Abuja, a suit filed by activist and lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje seeking an investigation and prosecution of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has been dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution.

Ogungbeje’s suit alleged that Peter Obi failed to declare offshore holdings and associated assets, operated a foreign account while in public office, and served as a director of Next International (UK) Limited for 14 months after becoming the governor of Anambra State. These allegations, according to the activist, were in violation of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a motion filed on July 3 but submitted on Nov. 6, Ogungbeje sought an order of mandamus compelling the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to initiate an investigation and refer Mr. Peter Obi to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for prosecution.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had previously granted Ogungbeje’s motion ex-parte on Nov. 1, giving him seven days to file his application and ordering service to the CCB at least 14 days before the next adjourned date.

However, on the scheduled date, neither the applicant nor his lawyer appeared in court. Consequently, Justice Ekwo struck out the suit, citing lack of diligent prosecution in a short ruling. The dismissal marks the end of this legal pursuit against Peter Obi, at least for the time being.