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JUDICIARY

Asset Declaration to be Done Online – CCB

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Submission of asset declaration forms  will soon be done online, in an effort to make the exercise easier.

The Chairman of  Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr Danladi Umar, gave the assurance  on Wednesday in Lagos at a meeting on “Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Asset Declaration by High-Ranking Public Officers”.

The meeting was organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

Umar, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Dr Mustapha Musa, said the website for submission of asset declaration forms was ready and would be available for use for all stakeholders.

“Our asset declaration website is live and online with all security features and certification necessary for its takeoff.

“The website will be launched very soon. Our staff that will be responsible for its operation will soon be receiving documents.

“Information on the website regarding asset declaration can only be accessed by the CCB, and the site is available at https://assetdeclaration@ccb.gov.ng,” he said.

Umar said that the CCB could  only give access to information regarding declaration of assets to any citizen on application, as provided by the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act subject to conditions given by the National Assembly.

He noted that the rule was subject to the provisions of Paragraph 3 (c) Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This is a specific provision that is exclusive to the CCB.

“The provisions of the FOI Act are general, general on all agencies, ministries, departments and bodies of government but this paragraph is specific on the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“It is not that the CCB is not willing to give information to applicants.

“The constitution states that we can only give such information subject to some conditions or guidelines to be given by the National Assembly.

“The National Assembly is yet to give any guidelines; therefore, the hands of the CCB are tied regarding this position,” he said.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Tayo Oyetibo, noted at the event that whether members of the  public should have access to information on assets of a public officer had been debated nationally for years.

The SAN, who was represented by Mrs Mobisola Odimegwu, the Managing Associate of Tayo Oyetibo and Co., said that the courts could intervene in situations where a citizen’s request for information was denied by CCB.

“The Court of Appeal, in the case of Code of Conduct Bureau versus Nwankwo, noted that there is a restriction, that the National Assembly has to provide terms and conditions.

“However, it said, that these terms and conditions had not been provided, does not obliterate the fact that citizens have the right to access this information.

“The court noted that the asset declaration of a public servant is a public document.

“Paragraph 3 (c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution deems any citizen of the country right to inspect  asset declaration of any public servant.

“Since the right to inspect the asset declaration of public officers is a constitutional right, failure of the National Assembly to prescribe the terms and conditions does not obliterate or take away that right,” he said.

Oyetibo said that asset declaration of public officers engendered public confidence in the governance process and served as a means of checks and balances.

“Public officers are not accountable to the CCB, they are accountable to the citizens of the country.

“Public office comes with the burden of public scrutiny.

“Anyone who cannot stand scrutiny should not hold public office,” he said. (NAN)

JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

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From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.

The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday last week.

The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.

The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.

Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.

“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.

Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.

The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.

The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

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JUDICIARY

Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

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A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.
The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN).

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JUDICIARY

Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

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 A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.

Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.

30 p.
m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.

Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.

“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.

According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.

Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.

The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)

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