Why CCB Should Charge Diri For Violation Of Assets Declaration Law

The Bayelsa Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability has tasked the Code of Conduct Bureau to quiz Senator Douye Diri over his failure to show evidence of his declaration of assets on his assumption as chief of staff and principal secretary to the governor of Bayelsa State in 2012.

The group which filed a petition to the bureau also accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate of evading the summons from the bureau.

Affirming that its decision was in line with its responsibility of good governance and accountability, the group in a statement following its submissions to the bureau on Monday said it was aghast at the thought of someone who could not give account as an aide of a governor taking over the assets of the state.

The press statement/conference signed by the group’s executive director, Comrade Joseph Joseph Ambakederimo, said that its action was devoid of partisanship.

The group which said that its action was inspired by constitutional provisions that required the likes of Diri to declare his assets on assumption of office as chief of staff said:

“It has been established and available records show that no declaration was made by Senator Douye Diri when he was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor, of Bayelsa State between 2012 to 2013.

“During that period, he failed, refused or and neglected to comply with the law obliging him to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau as a public officer.

“Now one of the implications for non-compliance with the code amongst others is disqualification from holding of any public office for a period not exceeding ten (10) years. And this is what we are asking the tribunal to do when he is eventually arraigned.

“Therefore, it is our wish and urgently too that the Bureau being an anti- corruption agency of the government, it is imperative to bring such reckless Public Officer to Justice. The Bureau should without delay do the needful by arraigning the subject before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“This is not politics, this is not partisanship, this is about patriotism. This is about the Bayelsa people and Nigeria. The office of Governor is a high office and a serious business for which any discovered impropriety should be fully addressed.

“I and my people do not want to benefit from a corrupt system. I don’t want to look the other way while such a man who neglected a simple task as chief of staff comes to the high office of governor and does worse as governor.

“l have the opportunity to speak out, l will speak out and lam speaking out.

“What we expect from anyone who intends to become Governor of Bayelsa State is to respect transparency, probity and accountability and must be seen to be above Board and abide by the rule of law at all times. Leadership must be held accountable. No one is above the law.

“Deliberately circumventing due process confirms the intention to be corrupt and sustain a corrupt the system.

“Senator Douye Diri’s conduct is a violation of the law. Our goal is to pursue and ensure that good governance is entrenched in Bayelsa State.  QED!”

“We want the Code of Conduct Bureau and eventually the Code of Conduct Tribunal to interrogate the appropriateness of Senator Diri for the high office of governor in the light of this revelation.

“We urge the relevant agencies of Government, the courts and the media not to politicize this matter.

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