The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against Senators Hope Uzodinma and Stella Oduah, alleging non-declaration of assets.
The charges, comprising two counts each, were filed at the registry of the court on behalf of the Federal Government by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP).
While the case file against Oduah has been assigned to Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, the charge against Uzodinma was sent to Justice Babatunde Quadri’s court for trial. The charge against Oduah, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/110/2018, read:
“That you, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah (f) on or about 29th day of March, 2018, being a public officer with the National Assembly, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence, to wit, refused to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under S. 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act, 2004.
“That you, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah (f) on or about 29th day of March 2018 is a public officer with the National Assembly Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed an offence to wit: neglected to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under S. 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.”
The case against Uzodinma, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/107/2018, said: “That you, Senator Hope Uzodinma (m) on or about the 5th day of March 2018, being a public officer with the National Assembly Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: refused to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under S. 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act, 2004.
“That you Senator Hope Uzodimma (m) on or about 5th day of March 2018 being a public officer with the National Assembly Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: neglected to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under S. 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act, 2004.
