Human Rights Group Files Suit To Release Investigation Report On Panama Papers

HEDA Resources Center, a non-governmental organization concerned
with human rights and good governance related issues, has filed a
suit to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), to release its
investigation report on those indicted in the Panama Papers
scandal.

In 2016, investigations into the Panama Papers by International
Consortium of Journalists revealed that the current Senate
President, Mr. Bukola Saraaki, former Senate President, Mr. David
Mark, and other prominent Nigerians illegally operated secret
companies in a tax haven.

The media uproar that followed the scandal forced the presidency
to order the investigation of public officials indicted in the
papers.

This was confirmed by the then CCB chairman, Mr. Sam Saba, who
said the bureau has received a directive from the presidency to
investigate public officials enmeshed in the offshore
malpractice.

According to the court paper sighted by our correspondent, HEDA
requested for a report of the investigation conducted by CCB in
November 2017 but got no response.

Consequently, the organization has approached the Federal High
Court in Lagos, to seek an order of Mandamus directing the bureau
to give comprehensive information on its investigation into assets
and secret companies owned and kept in tax haven by Mr. Saraki and
others exposed in the Panama Papers.

HEDA is seeking the reliefs in pursuant to section 15(5) of the
Nigerian constitution and section 2, 4, and 31 of the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Act which repose in the organization the
obligation to contribute to the eradication of corrupt practices
and abuse of power.

It also claimed that the refusal of CCB to furnish HEDA with the
required information is offensive to the rule of law.

“It is in the overall public interest for the respondent to
diligently investigate and publicize the outcome of its
investigation into allegations of acquisition and ownership of
assets abroad by past and present officials like the one exposed in
the Panama Papers.”

“We urge your lordship to grant leave to the applicant to
commence judicial review by way of mandamus to compel the
respondent to adhere to the spirit and letters of the Freedom of
Information Act, 2011 by making available the requested information
to the applicant,” HEDA wrote in its written address.

HEDA Resources Center, a non-governmental organization concerned
with human rights and good governance related issues, has filed a
suit to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), to release its
investigation report on those indicted in the Panama Papers
scandal.

In 2016, investigations into the Panama Papers by International
Consortium of Journalists revealed that the current Senate
President, Mr. Bukola Saraaki, former Senate President, Mr. David
Mark, and other prominent Nigerians illegally operated secret
companies in a tax haven.

The media uproar that followed the scandal forced the presidency
to order the investigation of public officials indicted in the
papers.

This was confirmed by the then CCB chairman, Mr. Sam Saba, who
said the bureau has received a directive from the presidency to
investigate public officials enmeshed in the offshore
malpractice.

According to the court paper sighted by our correspondent, HEDA
requested for a report of the investigation conducted by CCB in
November 2017 but got no response.

Consequently, the organization has approached the Federal High
Court in Lagos, to seek an order of Mandamus directing the bureau
to give comprehensive information on its investigation into assets
and secret companies owned and kept in tax haven by Mr. Saraki and
others exposed in the Panama Papers.

HEDA is seeking the reliefs in pursuant to section 15(5) of the
Nigerian constitution and section 2, 4, and 31 of the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Act which repose in the organization the
obligation to contribute to the eradication of corrupt practices
and abuse of power.

It also claimed that the refusal of CCB to furnish HEDA with the
required information is offensive to the rule of law.

“It is in the overall public interest for the respondent to
diligently investigate and publicize the outcome of its
investigation into allegations of acquisition and ownership of
assets abroad by past and present officials like the one exposed in
the Panama Papers.”

“We urge your lordship to grant leave to the applicant to
commence judicial review by way of mandamus to compel the
respondent to adhere to the spirit and letters of the Freedom of
Information Act, 2011 by making available the requested information
to the applicant,” HEDA wrote in its written address.