The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has begun verification of assets of political office holders and top government as part of renewed anti-corruption crusade which President Bola Tinubu has vowed to intensify in Nigeria.
The acting Chairman of the Bureau, Mr Murtala Aliyu-Kankia, stated this while monitoring the ongoing verification exercise on Monday, Jan 22..
He said the exercise would cover senior public officers and civil servants including permanent secretaries, director-generals, directors and other top officials of government’s establishments.
“I briefed the governor on why we are in Katsina. He is also keen in fighting corruption,” he said
According to him, the exercise is aimed at finding out the genuineness of assets declared by political office holders and other senior civil servants on assumption of office.
This, he said, would add value to the fight against corruption by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, adding that after the exercise its personnel would go to the field to authenticate the assets declared by the officers.
“You know, some people have a tendency of under-declaration, anticipatory declaration and even non declaration of their assets.
“To detect these three aspects, we go to the field to find out where someone under-declared, or in anticipation of getting something declared he has a property.
“All these are offences. The person found wanting would be referred to the CCB tribunal for prosecution accordingly.
“The punishment is either for him to forfeit the property, banned from holding public office for 10 years or be asked to vacate the office he is occupying.
“We are on course, we are doing it for the good of the country and the people,” he said.
According to Aliyu-Kankia, the bureau is working with sister agencies like EFCC, ICPC to continue fighting against corruption in the country.
He urged stakeholders to support the exercise to enhance the fight against corruption for sustainable social and economic development of the country.
President Bola Tinubu says his administration will not relent in addressing corruption and other vices and explained that it was a sacred duty to ensure that the country is set right for the prosperity of all Nigerians.
Tinubu said this when he received a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Tinubu called on Christian leaders to support the administration’s ongoing fight against corruption by encouraging Nigerians to have a change of mindset on money-related matters.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. If you do not preach the sermon of understanding, tolerance, perseverance, and hope for Nigerians, you are doing damage to the country, and nobody will help us repair it.
“Let us dialogue because public condemnation of a nation is not what makes any citizen a good one.
“We must admonish Nigerians to have a change of mindset and not to make money our god or master. I believe we will get to the Promised Land, and Nigeria will flourish.”
Tinubu urged the religious leaders to always consult him if they noticed any inadequacies in government policies and programmes.
On the reason for the large number of cabinet, Tinubu told the delegation that it was to allow for efficiency and effective service delivery to Nigerians.
“If you want efficient, mobile, and resourceful people, we have to give people a load they can carry. If you combine too many ministries because you want to save money, you will have a future of non-performance and no results.
“Nigeria needs to turn the corner to grow, and we must give people challenges they can manage, and that is what we are doing,” the President said.
In his remarks, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, urged the President not to relent in his efforts to provide good governance by ensuring security, inclusivity, and peaceful co-existence in the country.
“You have extended a hand of fellowship to us, and we embrace you and your family with the love of Christ and promise to partner with you in nation-building, for the task is quite daunting.
“We believe that you have the sagacity to give leadership in battling our challenges and in turning around the fortunes of our nation, Nigeria, within a short time. You have shown that you are a listening leader, and we appreciate this.
“CAN has maintained an active presence at all levels from the national to the grassroots, and we have remained non-partisan. You will always find our association as a ready and willing partner in nation-building,” Okoh said.
