CCB orders ministers-designate to declare assets before inauguration

•To verify claims from land registry, banks, companies
•NIA may confirm assets, accounts abroad

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has directed
ministers-designate to declare their assets before inauguration or
risk facing the wrath of the law.

The bureau plans to verify claims submitted by the new ministers
at land registry, banks and companies where they either have shares
or wholly owned by them.

It will however engage the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to
confirm the assets and accounts of the ministers-designate
abroad.

The Chairman of CCB, Prof. Muhammed Isah, told The Nation that
none of the new ministers would be inaugurated without first
declaring his or her assets.

He said the bureau has been liaising with the Permanent
Secretary, Cabinet Office to ensure full compliance with the law by
the incoming ministers.

He said while some of the new ministers have collected assets
declaration forms, some are yet to do so.

“It is legally compulsory for the ministers-designate to declare
their assets. If they do not declare their assets, they cannot be
inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari. That is the most
appropriate thing. We are determined to enforce the law,” Isah
said.

“So, the deadline for the declaration of assets is before their
inauguration. From reports, a considerable number of them have
collected but they have not completed the process. Some have not
obtained the assets declaration form.”

Responding to a question, Isah said: “I have discussed the issue
of declaration of assets by the new ministers with the Permanent
Secretary, Cabinet Office. The same office has also requested for
100 copies of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act and the Code of
Conduct Tribunal Act to guide the new ministers.

“We are hopeful that CCB officers will be part of the induction
for the ministers between August 15 and 16. We want them to know
the dos and don’ts in public office.”

Isah explained that the CCB will verify the claims of
ministers-designate at home and abroad.

“We engage in up site and on site investigation of the
ministers’ claims. By invoking up site investigation, we will
verify their claims from land registry, banks, property firms, and
companies they have shares or fully owned by them.

“On site investigation involves inspection of the properties or
assets declared in our form. This requires our officers going to
assess the claims made by the ministers.

“As for those with assets abroad, we will liaise with the
National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to liaise with relevant
authorities in foreign jurisdictions to confirm the truth or
otherwise of such assets.

“Paragraph 12 of part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to 1999
Constitution confers the powers to verify assets on the
Bureau.”

It says the Bureau shall: “Examine the declarations in
accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any
law.

“Retain custody of such declarations and make them available for
inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions
as the National Assembly may prescribe.

“Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the
provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law relating thereto.

“Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by
any authority or person authorized in that behalf to verify it
shall be deemed to be a breach of this Code.

“Any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any
declaration required under this Constitution and which is not
fairly attributable to income, gift, or loan approved by this Code
shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this Code unless
the contrary is proved.”

“Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of the
Provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation thereto.
Investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, refer such
matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

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