A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Abayomi Arabambi, has instituted a suit against the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over its alleged refusal to release certified true copies of asset declaration forms submitted by former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDC), Peter Obi.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2504/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Other respondents listed in the case include the Chairman of the CCB, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Arabambi, through his legal team led by Mr Oshoke Asimegbe, said he had written two separate letters to the CCB on August 31 and October 8, 2026, requesting access to Obi’s asset declaration records under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
He specifically requested certified true copies of the asset declaration forms and all accompanying documents submitted by Obi in 2006, before he assumed office as governor of Anambra State, and in 2014, at the end of his tenure.
Obi served as governor of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from March 17, 2006, to March 17, 2014.
The plaintiff, who described himself as a Nigerian citizen and registered voter in Ogun State, argued that the CCB’s refusal to grant his request violated his rights under the Freedom of Information Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He is asking the court to declare that his letters constitute valid requests for access to public records under the FOI Act and that the CCB’s reasons for denying access, communicated in a letter dated September 17 but received on September 25, 2026, are unlawful and invalid.
Arabambi is also seeking a declaration that the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have a constitutional obligation to establish clear terms and conditions guiding public access to asset declaration records.
Among his major requests is an order of mandamus compelling the CCB and its chairman to release certified true copies of all asset declaration forms submitted by Obi in 2006 and 2014, alongside every document attached to the forms.
He further wants the court to compel the Senate President and the Speaker to establish guidelines for members of the public seeking access to asset declaration documents deposited with the relevant authorities.
The plaintiff is also asking the court to invoke Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act to order disclosure of the requested information if it determines that there are no reasonable grounds for withholding the documents or that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in keeping them confidential.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
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