In a renewed bid to promote transparency and uphold integrity in public service, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Bello, has called on Nigerians to report civil servants whose lifestyles appear inconsistent with their known sources of income.
Dr. Bello made this appeal during a courtesy visit to the Abuja office of the Nigerian Tribune, where he emphasized the Bureau’s constitutional mandate to investigate and prosecute public officers who violate the Code of Conduct. This includes those who fail to declare their assets or are found to have made false declarations.
According to the CCB Chairman, the Bureau welcomes reports from concerned citizens on suspicious displays of sudden wealth by public officials. He assured that such reports would trigger thorough investigations and, if warranted, prosecution before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
"We urge Nigerians to be vigilant and to report civil servants whose standard of living is clearly beyond their legitimate earnings. This is crucial in the ongoing fight against corruption," Dr. Bello stated.
He also sought the support of the media in enlightening the public about the Bureau’s responsibilities, stressing that increased awareness is key to fostering accountability and ethical leadership in government.
In a major step towards improving transparency, Dr. Bello disclosed plans by the Bureau to roll out an online asset declaration portal. The digital platform, he said, would simplify the asset declaration process for public officials and improve access for oversight and scrutiny.
Dr. Bello’s statement underscores the CCB’s broader mission to entrench ethical governance and restore public trust in the nation’s civil service — a mission that hinges not just on enforcement, but also on the active participation of citizens.