CCB verifies assets of 20 ministers, 30 Permanent Secretaries — Chairman

The Code of Conduct Bureau says it has investigated and verified the assets of more than 20 ministers and 30 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen accountability among public officers.

According to The Punch, CCB Chairman Abdullahi Bello disclosed this in Abuja at an anti-corruption and asset-tracing workshop organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in collaboration with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa.

Bello said the bureau had moved beyond receiving asset declaration forms to examining declarations, investigating suspected breaches and prosecuting offenders. He said officials’ assets were verified at the beginning and end of their tenure, while investigations could also commence based on allegations or intelligence.

“We are not submitting forms anymore. Now, we’re examining the forms, we’re also investigating, and we’re also prosecuting,” he said.

Bello added that the CCB had secured convictions and forfeited properties and funds linked to breaches of the Code of Conduct. He said sanctions could include removal from office, disqualification from public office and forfeiture of assets.