The Code of Conduct Bureau has disclosed that it has investigated and verified asset declarations involving more than 20 ministers and 30 permanent secretaries.
CCB Chairman Abdullahi Bello announced the development at an anti-corruption and asset-tracing workshop in Abuja.
Bello said the Bureau was moving away from a system centred primarily on receiving declaration forms towards deeper examination, verification, investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution.
The exercise has also covered 32 health agencies and other high-profile officials, according to the Bureau chairman.
Under the CCB’s approach, a public officer’s declaration may be examined at the beginning of a term and compared with the declaration filed at the end.
Where a significant increase cannot be explained through legitimate income, the Bureau may investigate further.
Bello said the agency need not wait until an official leaves office where allegations or intelligence justify an earlier investigation.
The Bureau has separately stated that it is strengthening asset verification, modernising the declaration system and deploying technology as part of ongoing institutional reforms.
Asset declaration is a constitutional accountability mechanism, but verification is crucial to its effectiveness. A system based only on submitting forms cannot readily expose false declarations, undisclosed interests or assets inconsistent with legitimate earnings.
Importantly, verification of an official’s declaration is not itself evidence of wrongdoing. Liability arises only where a violation is established through the applicable legal process.
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SOURCE: Chronicle NG
