By Efosa Osagie
Reports reaching us say the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Asuerime Akintunde Ighodalo, and his running mate, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, are facing criminal charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.
In a petition and affidavit of facts submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal sighted by Newsannex, it was alleged that the PDP candidate failed to declare his actual assets after assuming office as Chairman of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/GTE, a company owned and controlled by the Edo State Government.Pursuant to Paragraph 11(1) of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), and Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, the PDP candidate was required to declare his assets to the Bureau.
Furthermore, under Section 182(1)(g) of the Constitution, both Ighodalo and Ogie were expected to resign from their positions as Directors of the state-owned company prior to the election.The affidavit, obtained by our correspondents in Abuja, reveals that the first respondent is currently the Chairman/Director of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/GTE and the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21st governorship election in Edo State, Nigeria.
Additionally, the second respondent is also a Director of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/GTE and the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in the upcoming election. The affidavit also mentions the third respondent, Mr. Anthony Osas Okungbowa, the Head of Service in Edo State’s civil service, who holds a directorship in the company in a private capacity.
The complainant pointed out that, contrary to the provisions of Section 182(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the first respondent failed to declare his assets and refused to resign as Director and Chairman of the Board of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/GTE.
Furthermore, contrary to Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, the first respondent engaged his law firm, Banwo & Ighodalo of 98 Awolowo Road, Southwest Ikoyi, Lagos, as Company Secretary of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/GTE, which constitutes a conflict of interest and a breach of the Code of Conduct outlined in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.It was also noted that, contrary to Section 182(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the second respondent failed, neglected, and refused to resign as Director of Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/GTE, despite being in public service in Edo State, as defined by Section 318(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).Additionally, the third respondent, contrary to Paragraph 2(b) of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), accepted an appointment as a Director in a private company controlled by the Edo State Government, not in an ex-officio capacity, while still serving as Head of Service of Edo State.
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