CCB Investigates Assets of Ministers and Permanent Secretaries

Abdullahi Bello, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), announced that the bureau has investigated and verified the assets of more than 20 ministers and 30 permanent secretaries to promote accountability among public officials. This announcement was made during an anti-corruption and asset-tracing workshop in Abuja, organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in collaboration with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa.

Bello stated that the CCB has transitioned from merely receiving asset declaration forms to actively examining them, investigating suspected infractions, and prosecuting offenders. The bureau focuses on high-profile public officers and conducts face-to-face examinations of their records.

Bello emphasized that investigations could commence before the end of an official’s tenure if there are allegations or intelligence. Arigbabu Sulaimon, Executive Secretary of HEDA, highlighted the workshop's aim to enhance inter-agency collaboration and the role of civil society in combating corruption, advocating for better use of the Proceeds of Crime Act and protections for whistleblowers.