morganable politics/Governance
The chairman emphasised that the bureau does not necessarily wait until public officers complete their tenure before commencing investigations.
KaNo—
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Abdullahi Bello, has disclosed that the agency has investigated and verified the asset declarations of more than 20 ministers and 30 permanent secretaries as part of renewed efforts to enforce accountability in public service.
Bello made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja at an anti-corruption and asset tracing stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in collaboration with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa.
The CCB boss said the bureau had shifted from the traditional practice of merely collecting asset declaration forms to actively scrutinising, investigating and prosecuting cases of suspected infractions.
“We are not submitting forms anymore. Now, we’re examining the forms, we’re also investigating, and we’re also prosecuting,” Bello said.
He explained that the bureau’s verification exercise had focused largely on senior public officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies.
“We have interviewed and verified the relations of more than 20 ministers, 30 permanent secretaries, 32 health agencies, and other high-profile individuals,” he stated.
According to him, public officers are invited for face-to-face interactions during which their asset declarations are thoroughly examined to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
“One of the key things that we do is that, once you declare your assets at the beginning of your term, we verify it; then we’ll wait for you at the end of your term, and we’ll also verify it,” Bello said.
“If you see any difference between the beginning and the end, that can only be explained by your non-social income, then we investigate you and prosecute you,” he added.
The chairman emphasised that the bureau does not necessarily wait until public officers complete their tenure before commencing investigations.
“But it doesn’t mean that we have to wait for you to finish office before we can investigate you. If there is any allegation against you, we can also investigate. Or if there is intelligence against you, we can also investigate,” he said.
Bello described asset tracing as a critical component of anti-corruption efforts, noting that it enables sustained investigations into illicit enrichment.
“Asset tracing is not a side issue. It’s where investigation becomes persistent,” he said.
He further revealed that the bureau had recorded convictions and secured the forfeiture of assets linked to breaches of the code of conduct, describing it as a milestone achievement.
“For the first time in the life of CCB, we have been able to do that,” he said.
Bello reiterated that the Code of Conduct provides for stiff penalties for violations, including removal from office, disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of illicitly acquired assets.
“If you look at the prohibition of the Code of Conduct, there are three major punishments for Code of Conduct breaches. First, you can be banned from office for 15 years. You can be removed from office. And then finally, the assets that you acquire from a breach can be forfeited to the government,” he explained.
Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Secretary of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, Arigbabu Sulaimon, said the gathering was designed to strengthen collaboration among anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations.
Sulaimon described the event as a technical working session aimed at advancing key institutional objectives, including improved intelligence sharing and enhanced citizen participation in anti-corruption efforts.
He identified the first objective as bridging gaps between agencies and fostering synergy with civil society.
“Realising full accountability requires seamless real-time intelligence exchange among our primary military and enforcement bodies,” he said.
He added that civil society organisations play a crucial role in providing grassroots intelligence and monitoring public institutions.
“Importantly is forging strong operational pipelines with civil society organisations whose grassroots tracking and open-source intelligence tools provide invaluable leads for criminal investigation,” Sulaimon stated.
The HEDA executive secretary also called for the effective implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure transparency in asset recovery and management.
“Operationalising the Proceeds of Crime Act is essential to ensure that confiscated assets are not only effectively recovered, but managed and disposed of with absolute public transparency,” he said.
He further urged authorities to strengthen the asset declaration regime, transforming it into a proactive mechanism for detecting illicit enrichment.
“We must transform the code of conduct we use after the declaration process from a routine and restricted exercise into a dynamic, verifiable mechanism for detecting early signs of illicit enrichment and public office abuse,” Sulaimon added.
On whistleblower protection, he stressed the need for stronger legal safeguards to encourage individuals to report corruption without fear of retaliation.
“Whistleblowers remain the single most effective catalyst for uncovering criminal crimes. Yet, without robust statutory protections and safe reporting mechanisms, courageous individuals remain vulnerable to retaliation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged officers of the Code of Conduct Bureau to uphold integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Idris gave the advice on Monday at the closing ceremony of a training programme for 102 CCB officers held at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Academy in Karu, Abuja.
He described the bureau as a critical institution in Nigeria’s governance framework, noting that its mandate is central to promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
“The CCB occupies a critical position in Nigeria’s governance architecture. Its constitutional mandate to promote high standards of conduct in public office and enforce the Code of Conduct for Public Officers is fundamental to transparency, accountability and public trust,” he said.
The minister commended the bureau’s leadership for investing in capacity building, adding that training in investigation and enforcement would enhance the effectiveness of its personnel.
He stressed that the fight against corruption requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond enforcement.
“The fight against corruption cannot be won through enforcement alone, but must be supported by prevention, ethical leadership, public enlightenment, strong institutions and a national culture that rejects corruption in all its forms,” he said.
Idris also highlighted the role of communication and the media in promoting accountability and good governance.
“Communication is not simply about announcing government policies or disseminating information about government activities. It is also about helping citizens understand the values, responsibilities and expectations that underpin good governance,” he noted.
He added that responsible journalism and investigative reporting are essential for deepening public understanding of corruption and empowering citizens to demand transparency.
