CCB probes over 500 asset declarations

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) says its newly created Financial Investigation and Fraud Analysis Unit (FIFAU) has investigated over 500 asset declaration forms.

The Chairman of the Bureau, Dr Abdullahi Bello, disclosed this in a statement issued to give an account of his one-year stewardship.

The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, was signed by Mr Moses Atolagbe, Director, Special Duties, in the Bureau.

In the statement, Bello said the investigations — the first major project of the Bureau’s FIFAU — identified discrepancies to support enforcement actions against erring public officers and uphold integrity in public service.

The CCB Chairman disclosed that no fewer than nine ministers, 43 permanent secretaries and 40 federal directors’ asset declaration forms had been verified, ensuring high-level accountability across key government roles.

He said the verification exercise was continuous, aimed at establishing a robust system for compliance monitoring.

Bello stated that, in one year of his stewardship, the Bureau implemented an online asset declaration system with a downloadable CCB Form-1 available on www.ccb.gov.ng, making it accessible to all public servants.

He added that the digitised system had saved the Bureau millions of naira previously spent on printing manual asset declaration forms.

According to Bello, no fewer than 199 staff members of the CCB had been trained in investigation, verification, forensic analysis and ethical governance to enhance expertise.

He added that the Bureau had established zonal offices, each led by a Director, to conduct intelligence and investigations, support prosecutions and supervise states for faster enforcement.

To strengthen its enforcement mandate, Bello said the CCB had entered into partnerships with local and international anti-corruption bodies, including the EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU and foreign embassies.

He said the Bureau was also being represented at global forums such as the Cambridge Economic Crime Forum and the U.S. IVLO 2025, showcasing Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and securing international support.

According to him, the CCB leadership had also been admitted into the Association of Commonwealth Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, strengthening Nigeria’s leadership in regional anti-corruption initiatives.

Bello noted that the guiding principle of his leadership was encapsulated in the redefined focus of the CCB, captured by the slogan, “Declare or Forfeit.”

He, therefore, charged public officers to declare their assets, ensure transparency in their wealth and shun corruption.

NAN reports that Bello assumed office on 23 October 2024, following his appointment as CCB Chairman by President Bola Tinubu.

Upon assumption of office, he promised to redefine the operational landscape of the Bureau, strengthen institutional integrity, improve efficiency and advance the nation’s anti-corruption agenda.

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