Non assets declaration: Trial of 2 civil servants begins March 28

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

The trial of two civil servants, with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Ibrahim Tumsah and Tijani Tumsah, before a federal high court, Abuja, commences March 28.
The defendants are being prosecuted on a 2-count charge for refusal and neglecting to declare their assets to the special panel.
Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, lead by Celsius Ukpong, was on February 8, arraigned the public officers before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.
According to the prosecution, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (3) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act, 2004.
However, they were pleaded not guilty and was granted bail to the tune of N20million each with two sureties in like sum.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, SAN, pleaded the court to adjourn the matter to enable parties in the case to sort out some development.
“My lord, there is a development in the matter that will not allow trial to commence today.
Keyamo said the prosecution is reaching out to the defendants for them to fill new assets declaration forms given to them by the panel, while there is likelihood of out of court settlement or plea bargain.
Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, counsel to the 1st defendant did not object to an adjournment.
However, he informed the court that the defendants are not contemplating “plea bargaining” as claimed by Keyamo.
Counsel to the 2nd defendant, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, aligned himself with the position of Ikpeazu.
Consequently, the trial judge adjourned to March 28, to enable the party sort out the gray areas and for commencement of trial.
The charge read in part; “That you, Ibrahim Tumsah and Tijani Tumsah on or about the 10th and 25th day of October 2017, being public officers with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Abuja and Presidential Committee on North East Initiative Abuja respectively within the jurisdiction of this court committed an offence to wit: refusal to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (3) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.
“That you, Ibrahim Tumsah and Tijani Tumsah on or about the 10th and 25th day of October 2017, being public officers with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Abuja and Presidential Committee on North East Initiative Abuja respectively within the jurisdiction of this court committed an offence to wit: neglect to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare to your your assets before the Special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (3) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.