Court okays publication of President, Govs’ Asset

From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday won the latest round in the legal battle to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to disclose details of asset declarations submitted to it by successive presidents and state governors since the return of democracy in 1999.
Justice Muslim Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday granted the order for leave following the hearing of an argument in court on exparte motion by SERAP counsel, Adelanke Aremo.
“Going through the Application filed by SERAP, supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit, with supporting exhibits, statements setting out the facts, verifying affidavits and written address in support, I am satisfied that leave ought to be granted in this case, and I hereby grant the motion for leave.” he ruled
The suit number FHC/L/CS/1019/2019 filed in June followed the CCB’s claim that it could not disclose details of asset declarations submitted to it by successive presidents and state governors since 1999 because doing so “would offend the right to privacy of presidents and state governors.”
The order by Justice Hassan has now cleared the way for SERAP to advance its case against the CBB and to challenge the grounds for its refusal to publish the information requested. The suit is adjourned to 16th of October, 2019 for motion on notice.
In the suit, SERAP is applying for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the CCB to disclose details of asset declarations of all presidents and state governors since 1999.