Ribadu sues tribunal, Aondoakaa over assets

Former Chairman, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Friday dragged the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) before a Federal High Court in Abuja over assets declaration, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

In the suit filed by his consel, Femi Falana,which also has the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Chief Michael Aondoakaa as defendant, Ribadu is challenging the powers of the tribunal to try him on the ground that he had ceased to be a public officeras at January 13 when the charge was filed against him at the tribunal.

Falana also told the court that the tribunal was not competent to try his client on the ground that it was not properly constituted. He urged the court to determine whether the tribunal was properly constituted with the chairman and another member and competent to try persons who have ceased to be public officers.

Falana therefore urged the court to restrain the defendants in the suit from trying his client in any manner whatsoever and howsoever, adding that his client was innocent of the charge brought against him by the tribunal as he had declared his assets in line with the law.

Counsel to the AGF, Mrs. Agatha Mbamali however, filed a notice of preliminary objection to the suit on the ground that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it and urged the court to dismiss the suit because the plaintiff has no locus standi to institute it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not represented at the hearing.Trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that there was no evidence before the court that notice had been served on the tribunal. He therefore ordered that the exercise be carried and subsequently adjourned the case to March 11.