Asset declaration: Presidential panel refers Sen. Nwaoboshi to DPP for prosecution

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, has referred Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Etsu Umar, for prosecution.
This is contained in a letter signed by Dr. Celsus Ukpong, on behalf of the chairman of the panel, Okoi Obono-Obla.
The panel has in the letter urged the DPP to prosecute the senator representing Delta North, on charges bordering on his failure to declare his assets before the panel in violation of section 3(i)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act 2004.
The panel which said it had forwarded draft charges to the DPP, maintained that the offence and violation was punishable by the same provision of the Act.
Accompanying the letter dated June 7, 2019, and received by the DPP office on June 10, 2019, were documents contained in the case file forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.
The letter read, “I am directed to you above-named case file for further action.
‘’The above suspect is under investigation before us for possession of suspicious assets far and beyond his legitimate earnings.
“He has refused to declare his assets before the panel after lawful demand by the special presidential investigation panel.
“This refusal is contrary to and punishable under section 3(i)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act 2004. It shall be appreciated if a charge is brought against him for his offence pending the conclusion of the investigation.”