What Buhari’s New Ministers Must Do Before Inauguration – CCB

With the preparation for the new minister-designate to get their office portfolio, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has asked them to declare their assets before inauguration or risk facing the wrath of the law.

The Chairman of CCB, Prof. Muhammed Isah, while speaking on the need for the new ministers to reveal the worth of their wealth as a public official said that none of the new ministers would be inaugurated without first declaring his or her assets.

He also said the bureau has been liaising with the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office to ensure full compliance with the law by the incoming ministers.

“It is legally compulsory for the ministers-designate to declare their assets. If they do not declare their assets, they cannot be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari. That is the most appropriate thing. We are determined to enforce the law,” Isah said.

“So, the deadline for the declaration of assets is before their inauguration. From reports, a considerable number of them have collected but they have not completed the process. Some have not obtained the assets declaration form.”

The CCB boss also explained that the CCB will verify the claims of ministers-designate at home and abroad.

“We engage in up site and on site investigation of the ministers’ claims. By invoking up site investigation, we will verify their claims from land registry, banks, property firms, and companies they have shares or fully owned by them. “On site investigation involves inspection of the properties or assets declared in our form. This requires our officers going to assess the claims made by the ministers.

“As for those with assets abroad, we will liaise with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to liaise with relevant authorities in foreign jurisdictions to confirm the truth or otherwise of such assets.”Paragraph 12 of part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution confers the powers to verify assets on the Bureau.”

Explaining further the Bureau promises to Retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.

“Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law relating thereto. “Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorized in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this Code.