The Code of Conduct Bureau says its newly created Financial Investigation and Fraud Analysis Unit has investigated over 500 asset declaration forms, with “no fewer than nine” declared assets of ministers verified. President Bola Tinubu has at least 48 ministers.
The chairman of the bureau, Abdullahi Bello, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday to give an account of his one-year stewardship.
Mr Bello said that the investigations, the first major project of the bureau’s FIFAU, identified discrepancies to support enforcement actions against errant 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.
According to the bureau’s chief, the verification exercise is continuous to establish a robust system for compliance monitoring.
Mr Bello said that, in one year of his stewardship, the bureau implemented an online asset declaration system with a downloadable CCB Form-1 from www.ccb.gov.ng, making it accessible to all public servants.
He added that the digitised system had saved CCB millions of naira hitherto used in printing manual asset declaration forms. He added that no fewer than 199 staff members of the CCB had been trained in investigation, verification, forensic analysis and ethical governance to enhance expertise.
Mr Bello also mentioned that CCB 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, Mr Bello said that the CCB entered into partnerships with local and international anti-corruption bodies, including EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU and foreign embassies.
He said the bureau is also being represented at global forums such as the Cambridge Economic Crime Forum and 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.
Mr Bello noted that the guiding principle of his leadership is encapsulated in the redefined focus of CCB, captured by the slogan ‘Declare or Forfeit’.
He, therefore, charged public officers to declare their assets, ensure transparency with their wealth and shun corruption.
Mr Bello assumed office on October 23, 2024, upon 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.
(NAN)
