CCT convicts 3 civil servants for non-declaration of assets

The Code of Conduct Tribunal yesterday convicted and sentenced three federal civil servants for non-declaration of assets after they pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecution counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Musa, told the tribunal that the convicts, Nuhudson Joshua, Ofuogu Dikede and Faith Agu, failed to submit a written declaration of all their assets and liabilities within the prescribed period of three months.

He said that the action was contrary to paragraph 11(1) of the Fifth Schedules, Part One of the Constitution, punishable under Paragraph 18(2) of the Fifth Schedule.

Upon conviction, the Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar gave a fine of N10, 000 each to Joshua and Dikede and N15,000 fine to Agu. He ordered that the fine be paid within 30 days.

He said failure to remit the fines within the stipulated 30 days will cause the convicts to vacate their positions as Federal Government staff.

At the instance of the prosecution, the tribunal withdrew charges against Mrs Adebayo E.B, Mrs T. Abdulsalam and F. Odeyemi while the arraignment of Mrs G. Okonji, S. O. Suleiman, B.S. Amusa and Joel Adedayo were adjourned to Feb. 21 as they were absent in court.

The civil servants are from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Geological Survey and National Orientation Agency. Of the total 33 listed for arraignment yesterday, the Tribunal decided 10.