CCB Uncovers Irregularities in Over 500 Asset Declarations, Verifies 9 Ministers, 43 Perm Secs and 40 Directors

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has revealed that its newly established Financial Investigation and Fraud Analysis Unit (FIFAU) has scrutinised more than 500 asset declaration forms, uncovering discrepancies that could lead to enforcement actions against some public officials.

CCB Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Bello, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday in a statement marking his first anniversary in office. The statement, signed by the Bureau’s Director of Special Duties, Mr Moses Atolagbe, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to Bello, the verification exercise has so far covered nine federal ministers, 43 permanent secretaries, and 40 directors. He said the ongoing process aims to entrench transparency and strengthen accountability across top levels of government.

He noted that the initiative was part of the bureau’s renewed drive to promote integrity in public service and ensure strict adherence to Nigeria’s asset declaration laws.

“These reviews have exposed irregularities that will aid enforcement against non-compliant public officers and enhance integrity within the system,” Bello stated.

Highlighting his one-year achievements, Bello said the bureau had launched an online asset declaration portal, allowing civil servants to complete and download the CCB Form-1 via www.ccb.gov.ng. The move, he explained, has saved the government millions of naira previously spent on printing manual forms.

He added that 199 CCB staff members have undergone specialised training in investigation, verification, forensic analysis, and ethical governance, boosting the bureau’s operational capacity.

Bello revealed that zonal offices have been established nationwide, each led by a director to coordinate intelligence gathering, investigations, and prosecutions.

To strengthen its anti-corruption mandate, the bureau has also partnered with key institutions, including the EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU, and foreign embassies. The CCB now represents Nigeria at international anti-corruption platforms such as the Cambridge Economic Crime Forum and U.S. IVLO 2025, further cementing its global presence.

He noted that under his leadership, the bureau has joined the Association of Commonwealth Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, enhancing Nigeria’s regional collaboration in fighting corruption.

Bello reiterated that the bureau’s new guiding principle — “Declare or Forfeit” — embodies its zero-tolerance stance on non-compliance.

“Every public officer must declare their assets honestly and uphold transparency. There will be no hiding place for corrupt practices,” he warned.

Dr Bello, appointed by President Bola Tinubu on October 23, 2024, pledged upon assumption of office to reform the bureau, rebuild institutional integrity, and advance Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda.