TheCable

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has begun verification of the assets of political office holders and top government officials. 

Murtala Kankia, CCB acting chairman, spoke while monitoring the ongoing verification exercise on Monday, in Katsina state.

Kankia 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

Kankia said 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.

He noted that the exercise would add value to the fight against corruption by the Bola Tinubu administration.

He added that after the exercise, the bureau’s 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,” he said.

“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.”

According to Kankia, the bureau is working with sister agencies like the EFCC and ICPC to fight against corruption in the country.

He urged stakeholders to support the exercise to enhance the fight against corruption for social and economic development of the country.