Labour Party chieftain Chief Abayomi Arabambi has instituted a suit against the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over its alleged refusal to release certified true copies of asset declaration documents submitted by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDC).
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2504/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Other respondents include the Chairman of the CCB, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Arabambi, through his legal team led by Mr Oshoke Asimegbe, said he approached the court after the bureau allegedly failed to grant his requests for the documents under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
According to the court filing, he submitted letters dated August 31 and October 8, 2026, seeking access to Obi’s asset declaration forms and supporting documents reportedly submitted in 2006, before he assumed office as governor of Anambra State, and in 2014, when he left office.
Obi served as governor of Anambra State from March 17, 2006, to March 17, 2014, under the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Arabambi, who described himself as a Nigerian citizen and registered voter in Ogun State, argued that the alleged refusal to release the records violated his rights under the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act.
He is asking the court to declare that his letters constituted valid requests for access to official records and that the respondents have legal obligations concerning the disclosure process.
The plaintiff is also challenging the reasons the CCB reportedly gave in a letter dated September 17, 2026, which he said was received on September 25. He wants the court to declare those reasons unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions and objectives of the Freedom of Information Act.
Among his principal requests is an order of mandamus compelling the CCB and its chairman to release certified true copies of Obi’s asset declaration forms and all accompanying documents from 2006 and 2014.
He is further seeking an order directing the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to establish clear terms and conditions for members of the public seeking access to asset declaration records.
Arabambi has also asked the court to order disclosure under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act if it determines that the respondents lack lawful grounds to withhold the documents or that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the reasons for keeping them confidential.
The case raises questions about access to official records, the limits of public disclosure and the legal procedures governing asset declarations by public officials.
However, the allegations against the CCB remain matters for the court to determine. The filing of the suit does not establish that the bureau acted unlawfully, nor does the demand for Obi’s records constitute evidence of wrongdoing by the former Anambra governor.
No hearing date had been fixed for the matter as of the report.
