By Victor Idighomor, Yenagoa
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has acknowledged the receipt of a petition filed against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri.
The CCB, in a letter dated October 2, 2019, by a director, S. P. Gwimi, admitted receiving the petition and subsequently invited the authors for a pre-investigation interview.
The letter reads in part: “Pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part 1 Paragraph 3(e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, I am directed to invite you for an interview in respect of the above subject matter.
“You are requested to come along with documents and details that may enhance investigation of the alleged non-declaration of assets by Senator Duoye Diri.”
A group, Bayelsa Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (BCGGA) had, in the petition dated September 17, 2019, but received at the CCB the next day, accused Diri, a serving Senator, of failing to declare his assets.
The petition signed by the group’s Executive Director, Joseph Ambakederimo, reads in part: “On behalf of the good people of Bayelsa state, I write to state as follows: Senator Douye Diri, was Deputy Chief of Staff to Bayelsa State Governor between 2012 to 2013, as well as Principal Executive Secretary to the Governor from 2013-2014. 2.
“During the period under review, he failed. refused or/and neglected to comply with the law obligating him to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as a public officer.
“The Bureau being an anti-corruption agency of the government, it is imperative to bring such reckless public officer to justice.