Nigeria docks two brothers for non-declaration of assets

The Special Investigative Panel on Recovery of Public Property, on Thursday, arraigned two brothers, Ibrahim and Tijani Tumsah for non-declaration of assets.

Ibrahim and Tijani, who are public servants, were arraigned on a two-count charge of refusal and neglect to declare their assets.

They entered a not guilty plea and were admitted to bail in the sum of N20 million and two sureties in like sum.

Other conditions for their bail included that the sureties could be either private businessmen or civil servants and must show proof of ownership of landed property anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory.

The court held that where the sureties were civil servants, they must not be below grade level 15.

In addition, the defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court registry and not to travel outside the country without the permission of the court.

The judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Prison should they fail to perfect their bail conditions within three days.

Earlier, Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju, (SAN) and Mr Abdul Mohammed, counsel to the defendants prayed the court to grant their clients bail since the offence for which they were standing trial was bailable.

Mr Festus Keyamo, (SAN) counsel to the panel informed the court that he was not opposed to the application for bail.

One of the count read;”That you, Ibrahim Tumsah and Tijani Tumsah on or about Oct. 10 and 25, 2017, being public officers with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Abuja and Presidential Committee on North East Initiative Abuja respectively within the jurisdiction of this 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 Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under Section III (3) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.”

Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter until March 1 for the commencement of trial.