Group drags CCB to court over Jonathan’s asset declaration form

By IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja
A group under the aegis of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, AFRICMIL, yesterday, sued the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that the Bureau blatantly denied it access to the most recent asset declaration form that was filled and returned by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The plaintiff is praying the high court to invoke its original jurisdiction and issue an order of mandamus that will compel the CCB to comply with its request of making available to the public, the said asset declaration of President Jonathan.

In an affidavit attached to the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/877/2011, the group said it had on July 28, forwarded a Freedom of Information request to the CCB asking “to be allowed to inspect and obtain copies of the 2007 asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan after the end of his tenure on May 28, 2011; and the current asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he assumed office on May 29, 2011”.

On July 28, 2011, AFRICMIL sent a Freedom of Information request to the CCB asking “to be allowed to inspect and obtain copies of the 2007 asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan after the end of his tenure on May 28, 2011; and the current asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he assumed office on May 29, 2011”.

AFRICMIL said it was concerned that even with a memo from the presidency that government agencies, must subject themselves to the Freedom of Information Act, that the CCB refused to act on its request, contending that for a government that has proclaimed a transformation agenda and desire to fight corruption, it is important for President Jonathan to lead by example. It insisted that the only way he can do so is by making public his asset declaration.

Source:Vanguard.