The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has initiated the process of verifying political office holders and top government officials’ assets.
CCB Acting Chairman, Mr Murtala Aliyu-Kankia, who made this known while monitoring the ongoing verification exercise on Monday in Katsina, 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.
In his words:
“I briefed the governor on why we are in Katsina. He is also keen in fighting corruption,” he said.
Murtala Aliyu-Kankia said the exercise will help find out the genuineness of assets declared by political office holders and other senior civil servants on assumption of office.
He noted that after the exercise, its 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.
“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,” he said.
