LAWYERS WANT CONDUCT TRIBUNAL TO SUMMON FARIDA

The Code of Conduct Tribunal may summon former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Wasiri for allegedly failing to declare her assets after her appointment in 2008.

The new development is sequel to a suit at the Federal High Court by two human rights lawyers, Ogboli Charles and Osuagwu Ugochukwu, seeking the summon of the former EFCC boss by the CCT for alleged violation of the constitution on assets declaration by public officers.

Mrs. Waziri was on Thursday last week sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan. Her tenure would have expired on June 5, 2012. No official reason has been offered by the presidency for her removal.

However, in a suit (FHC/ABJ/C5/951/2011), the lawyers prayed the court to compel the CCT within eight days to summon the former EFCC chairman to explain how he acquired some property at Mabushi, Abuja.

Other reliefs being sought by the petitioners include, 'a declaration that by virtue of the ministerial approval letter dated 24-09-2008, the 1st defendant is the titled owner of plot no 1460, Mabushi District, Abuja as at that date.

'A declaration that by acquiring, receiving and or influencing the allocation of plot no 1460, Mabushi to herself and whilst being a public officer, the 1st defendant has acted contrary to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C15 LFN 2004 and part 1,fifth Schedule 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.'

The petitioners further sought a 'declaration that the purported asset declaration made by the 1st defendant on May 23,2008 is improper and invalid as the only time when the 1st defendant is required to declare her asset as a public officer is at the time she was confirmed as Chairman by the senate on 5-06-2008 after nomination by the president.

'An order directing the 2nd defendant CCT to act on the complaint of the plaintiffs against the 1st defendant by investigating the 1st defendant and refer her to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution if found culpable.