The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Bello, has called on Nigerians to actively report public servants suspected of living beyond their legitimate income to the Bureau, promising swift investigations and possible prosecution before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) where necessary.
Dr. Bello made this call on Friday during a strategic engagement with the management of the Nigerian Tribune at its Abuja corporate office. He emphasized that the Code of Conduct Bureau was established to uphold the highest ethical standards in the Nigerian public service, and the participation of citizens is crucial in rooting out corruption.
According to Dr. Bello, many public servants were relatively unknown within their communities before their appointments, but some quickly begin to exhibit lifestyles that are inconsistent with their known sources of income. He urged Nigerians to alert the Bureau to such instances, assuring that every credible tip-off would be thoroughly investigated.
“We must hold our public officers accountable. The people are the first line of defense against corruption, and we encourage them to report any suspicious accumulation of wealth or lifestyle changes that indicate abuse of public office,” Dr. Bello said.
He reiterated that the Bureau is empowered to investigate and prosecute infractions such as non-declaration of assets, false declarations, and unethical conduct by public officials.
Also speaking during the visit, CCB National Commissioner Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma praised Dr. Bello’s leadership, noting that the Bureau had witnessed renewed vigour within just two months of his chairmanship.
“A new sheriff is in town,” Agbonayinma declared. “Public officers who have been cutting corners or submitting false asset declarations should beware. There will be no sacred cows.”
He warned that anticipatory declarations of assets—where officials claim ownership of assets they do not currently possess—would not be tolerated, as it undermines transparency and invites corruption.
Responding to the Bureau’s visit, Dr. Leon Usigbe, Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune, lauded the CCB’s renewed efforts and pledged the media house’s support for transparency and accountability in governance.
“At a time when trust in public institutions is fragile, your work is foundational to rebuilding confidence in governance,” Usigbe stated. “We recognize the importance of your mandate and the need for public awareness, and we are committed to supporting ethical journalism that complements your mission.”
He assured the Bureau of the Nigerian Tribune’s readiness to provide a platform for public education, investigative reporting, and civic engagement aimed at promoting integrity in public service.
The Code of Conduct Bureau, established under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is tasked with ensuring that public officials uphold integrity by declaring their assets and refraining from actions that constitute abuse of office. Its scope of operations spans civil service personnel, elected officials, appointees, and executives at all levels of government.
Dr. Bello noted that the Bureau will also intensify its collaboration with anti-graft agencies and strengthen its capacity to investigate and prosecute ethical violations effectively. Plans are underway to introduce digital platforms to track asset declarations and promote transparency in real-time.
While the Bureau is making significant progress, Dr. Bello acknowledged several challenges, including public apathy, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and inadequate resources. He, however, expressed optimism that with sustained media collaboration and civic participation, the CCB would overcome these hurdles.
“We must demystify public office and show that it is a responsibility—not a ticket to affluence. Nigerians must understand that ethical governance is a collective effort,” he said.
As Nigeria battles systemic corruption and strives to rebuild public trust, the Code of Conduct Bureau under Dr. Bello’s leadership is positioning itself as a frontline institution in enforcing transparency. With citizen participation, media partnership, and renewed institutional will, the fight against corruption is set to enter a more aggressive and impactful phase.