October 28, (THEWILL) — The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has investigated more than 500 asset declaration forms as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and integrity in Nigeria’s public service.
Chairman of the Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Bello, disclosed this in a statement marking his one year in office.
According to the statement, signed by the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Moses Atolagbe, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, the investigations were conducted by the Bureau’s newly established Financial Investigation and Fraud Analysis Unit (FIFAU), its first major operational project since inception.
Bello said the unit uncovered several discrepancies during verification, prompting enforcement actions against some public officials.
He added that the exercise covered at least nine ministers, 43 permanent secretaries, and 40 federal directors, ensuring greater accountability among senior government officers.
He explained that the verification process is ongoing and aimed at building a more robust compliance monitoring system across the public sector.
Highlighting key achievements under his leadership, Bello noted that the Bureau had successfully digitised its asset declaration process, with CCB Form 1 now accessible for download on its official website — www.ccb.gov.ng.
He said the transition to digital filing had saved the Bureau millions of naira previously spent on printing manual forms.
Bello also revealed that 199 CCB personnel had undergone training in investigation, verification, forensic analysis, and ethical governance to enhance institutional capacity and professionalism.
He added that the Bureau had established zonal offices across the country, each headed by a Director, to conduct intelligence operations, support prosecutions, and enforce compliance at the state level.
To boost its enforcement capacity, the CCB has entered into strategic partnerships with agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU, and several foreign embassies.
Bello said the Bureau’s participation in international platforms, including the Cambridge Economic Crime Forum and the U.S. IVLO 2025, has projected Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and fostered global collaboration.
He further disclosed that the CCB had been admitted into the Association of Commonwealth Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, enhancing Nigeria’s visibility and influence in regional anti-graft initiatives.
Reaffirming his administration’s focus, Bello said the Bureau’s guiding principle remains “Declare or Forfeit”, urging public officials to uphold transparency, make truthful declarations, and shun corruption.
Bello, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on October 23, 2024, pledged to continue implementing reforms that will strengthen the Bureau’s operational efficiency and deepen accountability in governance.
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