Over 500 Asset Declarations Under CCB Investigation; 9 Ministers, 43 Perm Secs Verified

Over 500 asset declaration forms have been examined by the Code of Conduct Bureau’s (CCB) recently formed Financial Investigation and Fraud Analysis Unit (FIFAU).

Dr. Abdullahi Bello, the Chairman of the Bureau, announced this in a statement detailing his accomplishments following a year in office.

The Bureau’s Director of Special Duties, Mr. Moses Atolagbe, signed the statement, which was made public in Abuja on Tuesday and provided to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Bello stated in the statement that the investigations, which were the Bureau’s FIFAU’s first significant project, found disparities that would support enforcement proceedings against public officials who were in default and foster integrity in the public sector.

In an effort to increase accountability at the highest echelons of government, the CCB chairman disclosed that the asset declaration forms of at least nine ministers, forty federal directors, and forty-three permanent secretaries had been validated.

He stated that the verification process is still in progress with the goal of creating a robust and long-lasting system for keeping an eye on compliance.

According to Bello, the Bureau introduced an online asset disclosure system during his first year in office, making it simple for public employees to obtain and download the CCB Form-1 at www.ccb.gov.ng.

He went on to say that the bureau had saved millions of Naira by using the digital technology instead of printing manual asset declaration forms.

According to Bello, at least 199 CCB employees have received training in forensic analysis, investigation, verification, and ethical governance to increase the Bureau’s capability and skill.

In order to improve enforcement efficiency, he said, the Bureau has established zonal offices, each led by a Director, to manage intelligence collection and investigations, support prosecutions, and supervise state operations.

Bello stated that the CCB partnered with national and international anti-corruption organizations, such as the EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU, and foreign embassies, to bolster its enforcement authority.

In order to highlight Nigeria’s anti-corruption initiatives and garner international assistance, he said the bureau is also represented at international events including the Cambridge Economic Crime Forum and U.S. IVLO 2025.

He said that Nigeria’s leadership in regional anti-corruption efforts was strengthened by the CCB leadership’s admission into the Association of Commonwealth Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.

Bello stated that the renewed focus of CCB, embodied in the motto “Declare or Forfeit,” embodies the guiding philosophy of his leadership.

As a result, he urged public servants to disclose their holdings, maintain financial transparency, and avoid corruption.

According to NAN, Bello was appointed CCB Chairman by President Bola Tinubu on October 23, 2024.

Upon taking office, he pledged to increase efficiency, fortify institutional integrity, reinvent the bureau’s working environment, and further the country’s anti-corruption mission.