Corruption fight needs proper investigation, says CCB

After failing to secure the conviction the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki over allegation of false declaration of his assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has cited lack of proper and diligent investigation as responsible for unsuccessful prosecution of public office holders of corruption related cases.

Acting Chairman of the Bureau, Mr Ngusha Agom Tor who disclosed this on Tuesday however said proper investigation is capital intensive and added that without proper investigation of cases, it will be difficult to secure conviction.

Recalled that Senate President Bukola Saraki was recently discharged and acquitted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on false assets declaration charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Speaking at the 2017 Children’s Forum organised by the Bureau to mark the International Children’s day in Abuja, Agom Tor who took over the affairs of the Bureau from Mr Sam Saba in acting capacity noted that the fight against corruption can only succeed if there is proper investigation of cases.

“You know if a case is properly investigated, the possibility of securing conviction is high. It will be difficult for the defence lawyers to knock it off in court because there will be water tight evidence, but it is very costly.

“Take the case of James Ibori for instance, it cost the Metropolitan Police huge sums of money to investigate the case that nailed him. The Bureau does not have that kind of funds to embark on such investigation especially if it involves foreign trips.” he lamented.

Following the directive from the Presidency disengaging Mr Sam Saba as Chairman of the CCB and his 9- member Governing Board Saba handed over the affairs of the Code of Conduct Bureau to the most senior Director, Mr Ngusha Agom- Tor (Director Reform Coordination and Service Improvement).

Meanwhile, in his address at the Children’s Forum,  the Acting CCB chairman called on youths in the country to shun corruption in all its manifestation and to report every act of corruption or abuse of office to the Code of Conduct Bureau or other ant-corruption agencies.

He tasked children to ask their parents who are public officers, but stupendously rich, the source of their income.

Agom-Tor said the Nigerian youths must take their future in their hands by being in the vanguard of the fight against corruption.

The theme of this year’s children forum is, “Nurturing the values of honesty and accountability in the Nigerian youth.”

Highlights of the event included debate competition, drama presentation by schools, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as well as presentation of gifts and awards.