Anti-Corruption : Nigerians Urged to Demand Accountability from Public Servants

The Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Bello Usman has said that when citizens actively demand accountability and public servants lead by example they create an eco-system where corruption cannot thrive and he reaffirmed the commitment of the Bureau to continue to innovate, collaborate and enforce compliance with the introduction of the Digital Asset Declaration platform.
Speaking during the Rule of law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC2) “Improving the effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Processes and Reforms Capacity Building Workshop on On-line Assets Declaration System” organized by Code of Conduct Bureau in Collaboration with Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, in Benin City, the Chairman disclosed that Corruption remains one of the most formidable obstacles to the nations development.
According to the CCB Chairman who was represented by Mr. Koyonda Edward, ” Corruption erodes public trust, stifles economic growth and perpetuates inequality. The CCB as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s integrity framework, recognizes that declaration of Assets is not just a statutory obligation but a moral imperative.
“While it is an obligation for Public Officers to comply, it is an obligation on CCB to enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers which Assess Declaration is a parcel and part. It is the bedrock of ethical governance and we cannot ignore the reality of our time. Manual systems are susceptible to inefficiency, opacity and abuse. this is why the transition to digital Assets Declaration Platform which is not just an upgrade but a revolution.
“By leveraging technology we eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, reduce human interference and create an acceptable trail that deters malfeasance and this system will empower public officials to declare Assets seamlessly while enabling real time monitoring by shareholders.”
While noting that Anti-Corruption reforms are not sole responsibility of government agencies as they demand a societal movement, the Chairman expressed gratitude to the CSJ for their invaluable collaboration and to ROLAC for the generous funding and unwavering commitment to the cause.
“Your partnership underscores a shared vision, a Nigeria, where transparency, accountability and rule of law are not mere ideas but living principles guiding our nation’s progress. Let us harness the power of technology to safeguard our Nations resources and restore public confidence,” he added.
The Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere, Esq. disclosed that the workshop is part of a systematic partnership aimed at first developing learning and everyday use of materials for public officers on the New Online Assets Declaration System (OADS) and secondly to build capacity across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) at the Federal and State levels in Six focal states,
Anambra, Edo, Lagos, Plateau, Adamawa and Kano states as well as the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended mandates every public officer from the cleaner in the local government to the President to declare his assets and liabilities at given periods. It also establishes the Code of Conduct Bureau which oversees and manages the assets and liabilities declaration system. If every public officer complies with the law, there will be not less than ten million declarations of assets and liabilities.
“Continuing with the old paper, analogue declaration of assets will involve massive logistics challenges ranging from storage space, protection from pets and rodents, processing, verification and follow-up activities. Hence the need and imperative of the OADS which can only work effectively when Declarants understand their duties and how they can practically declare their assets on the electronic platform,”
During the two-day workshop, presentations were delivered on the Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct for Public Officers and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, categories of Assets and Liabilities and step by step practical demonstration on Assets Declaration Procedures.

The Centre for Social Justice  with Support of the European Union/IDEA’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme organized the capacity building workshop in collaboration with the CCB