CCB’s Boss Notified of Suit Challenging Non-release of Obi’s Asset Declaration Forms

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The attention of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has been brought to a suit filed against him and the bureau, over their alleged refusal and failure to release the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Assets Declaration Form relating to the Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDC), Mr. Peter Gregory Obi.

The notification was contained in a letter dated October 30, 2026, by a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Abayomi Arabambi.

The letter written by his lawyer, Oshoke Asimegbe was simply to inform the CCB boss of the pending suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2504/2026, Dr. Arabambi Abayomi v. The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) & 3 Ors, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The lawyer explained that the suit concerns the CCB’s refusal to issue his client a CTC of Peter Obi’s asset declaration form, submitted to the Bureau in 2006 or at any other time, covering the period of March 17, 2006 to March 17, 2014, when he (Peter Obi) served as Governor of Anambra State under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

“Pursuant to our client instruction we hereby bring to your notice our client pending legal suit against you for your failure and refusal to release to our client the certified true copy of the Asset declaration Form of Mr. Peter Obi Gregor, he submitted to your office containing his Assets declaration particulars and all attached documents to the Asset Declaration Form he submitted to your office in 2006 prior and when he was sworn in as the governor of Anambra State for the period of March 17, 2006 to March 17, 2014 when he served as the Governor of Anambra State under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)”, the letter read in part.

Arabambi had dragged the CCB, its chairman, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, to court over the alleged refusal of the bureau to release the NDC’s presidential candidate’s assets declaration form when he served as Anambra State Governor.

Among the reliefs the plaintiff is seeking in the suit filed on October 15, 2026, included a declaration that the applicant’s letters dated August 31, 2026 and October 8, 2026 and duly received by the 1st and 2nd Respondents at their office, constitute a valid request for access to the information and official records sought in the letter pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

“A declaration that the reasons adduced by the 1st and 2nd respondents vide their letter dated September 17, 2026 but received on September 25, 2026, as the reasons for refusing the applicant’s request for access to the certified true copies of the Asset declaration Forms of Peter Obi Gregory are unlawful and invalid and contrary to the Spirit and letters of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended”.

Plaintiff, is also seeking an order of mandamus compelling the 1st and 2nd respondents to forthwith release the requested documents to the applicant in performance of their statutory/public duty by granting the Applicant access to the information and certified true copies of the records/documents requested for in the applicant’s letter of August 31, 2026 and October 8, 2026.

“An order of mandamus compelling the 1st and 2nd respondents to furnish the applicant with a Certified True Copies of all the Asset declaration Forms of Mr. Peter Obi Gregory, he submitted to the 1st and 2nd respondents as captured in the applicant’s letter of August 31, 2026 and October 8, 2026”.