CCB writes Gov Ikpeazu over non-declaration of assets by Ginger Onwusibe

There are indications early this week that the Code of Conduct Bureau, (CCB) is poised for a showdown with the Abia State government as it has written to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over the inability of some Isiala Ngwa North political stakeholders to declare his assets.

The stakeholders, CCB said are the House of Assembly candidate and the present Chairman of the local government area, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu a member of the Local Government Service Commission in the state.

The State Director of CCB in the state, Mrs Chisara Chukwu had in the letter, appealed to the governor to intervene and compel the duo to comply with the constitutional requirements for public officers in declaring their assets.

In her letter titled ‘Non Declaration of Assets on Assumption of Office’, dated April 18th, 2018, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the CCB Director said, “I wish to inform you that the following persons whom you have confidence to work with assumed office without declaring their assets which is a breach of the code”.

“I have used all the strategies but it has proved obstinate, then I decided to report to you as the father and head of this state. Sir could you do me a favour by doing whatever you can do so that they can fulfil their 1999 obligations towards constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria”.

In view of this petition, a Federal High court in Umuahia in a suit brought by Isaac Alozie against CCB, Onwusibe, and PDP chairman, Johnson Onuigbo, presided over by Justice E. N. Anyadike had granted the exparte motion filed by the applicant.

The order directs the CCB, “To invite, investigate and prosecute Onwusibe for his errant refusal and failure to declare his assets upon the assumption of office as chairman of Isiala Ngwa North council area”.

“It also ordered substituted service on the respondents by delivering the processes in this suit to any senior officer at their respective offices”.

The case was adjourned till 8th day of November 2018.

However, in a swift reaction through a telephone conversation, Ginger Onwusibe had disclosed that the matter is in the court already and will be a prejudice to comment on that.

He said that he had declared his assets since over two years ago, even with acknowledgement from the Director, adding that in any case, the woman should have taken the matter to the tribunal, and not writing the state governor.

Onwa, as he is popularly called had advised the woman not to allow herself to be politically used.