Progress Report
QUARTERLY REPORT OF SOME LEGAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES FOR 2025
INTRODUCTION
This Quarterly Report presents an overview of the key activities, interventions, and legal developments undertaken by the Legal Services Department of the Code of Conduct Bureau for the first quarter of the year 2025. In line with the Bureau’s constitutional mandate to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for public officers, the Department has continued to provide critical legal support through case management, advisory opinions, legal representation, and enforcement actions.
The key activities include;
- The Legal Service Department took a position opposing the bill sponsored by a House of Representative member seeking to provide immunity to judicial officers against prosecution by the bureau until they leave office.
This legal opinion was issued in firm opposition to the proposal by a member of the House of Representatives seeking to amend the Constitution to include a provision granting judicial officers immunity from prosecution by the Code of Conduct Bureau while in office.
- The Legal Service Department spare-headed a meditation to recover double remuneration been received by 2 different public officers.
A mediation session was conducted concerning a case involving a breach of the Code of Conduct, wherein public servants were found to have received salaries from two government agencies simultaneously. An agreement was reached against the subjects during the mediation, and they have undertaken to issue a bank draft in favour of the Bureau.
- The Legal Service Department secured arrest warrant against a public officer in the Ministry of Education for her failure to honour the bureau’s invitation on an investigation activity.
A warrant for the arrest of a public officer serving in the Ministry of Education was obtained, following her persistent failure to honour the Bureau’s official invitations for interview and investigation. The warrant was issued pursuant to the Bureau’s statutory mandate to enforce compliance in matters relating to the Code of Conduct for public officers. The officer’s continued disregard for lawful summons constituted an obstruction of due process, thereby necessitating legal action to ensure her appearance before the Bureau.
- The Legal Service Department approached the Federal High Court Abuja to secure declaratory reliefs and orders against UBA and other financial institutions, to strengthen the bureau’s investigative and prosecutorial functions.
A suit has been filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against United Bank for Africa (UBA), seeking declaratory reliefs, appropriate orders, and the interpretation of Section 3(d) and (e) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended)..
- Legal Service Department secured victory at the National Industrial Court in a matter brought by Obi Chijioke against the Bureau for alleged compulsory retirement.
Obi Chijoike instituted an action against the Bureau, seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs, as well as damages for alleged wrongful compulsory retirement. However, judgment was delivered in favour of the Bureau, effectively dismissing the claims brought by the claimant.
- The Legal Service Department provided legal opinion on some petitions received by the II & M department.
Some legal opinions were issued regarding the alleged violation of the Code of Conduct and abuse of office by certain public officers. The opinions addressed the legal Observation and implications of the allegations and provided guidance on the appropriate course of action in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.