Despite Penalties, Nigerian Public Officials Defy Asset Declaration Law
CCB Struggles with Low Compliance Rates Among Political Appointees and Civil Servants
Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) faces significant challenges in enforcing mandatory asset declarations for public officials, with compliance rates remaining alarmingly low across all levels of government.
The Legal Mandate and Reality Gap
Established to maintain ethical standards and combat corruption, the CCB requires all public officials to declare their assets and liabilities upon assuming and leaving office. This constitutional requirement extends to spouses and unmarried children under 18. However, enforcement remains weak, with the bureau often appealing for compliance rather than prosecuting violators.
Nationwide Non-Compliance Patterns
Recent reports reveal troubling trends:
- In Enugu State (2023), only 23 of 58 political appointees submitted completed forms
- Lagos State officials show similar non-compliance patterns
- Kano State recently directed appointees to comply after 60-70% failed to declare
- A Fixing the Future report indicates 94% of officials don’t fully disclose assets
Historical Context and Legal Framework
The CCB traces its origins to military administrations, with formal establishment in 1988 under General Babangida. The 1999 Constitution enshrined its mandate to maintain public morality and accountability through asset declarations. However, experts identify critical gaps in the current legal framework:
- No enforceable timelines for asset verification
- Lack of prosecutorial autonomy
- Absence of digital infrastructure provisions
- Restrictive public access policies
Root Causes of Non-Compliance
Experts cite multiple systemic issues:
1. Awareness and Cultural Factors
Matthew Megwai of ANEEJ notes many civil servants remain unaware of their obligations, while others deliberately avoid scrutiny to enable corrupt practices.
2. Enforcement Weaknesses
Francis Onahor highlights ineffective sanctions, slow judicial processes, and bureaucratic hurdles in the manual declaration system.
3. Political Interference
Mallam Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) points to executive control over CCB funding and operations, creating vulnerability to political manipulation.
4. Resource Constraints
Budget analysis shows CCB received N15.24bn from 2020-2024, with experts arguing this underfunding cripples operations.
Consequences for Governance
Public analyst Clifford Egbomeade warns:
“When public officials are not held to account, it creates a culture where corruption thrives. Nigeria reportedly loses billions to corrupt practices annually, with opaque asset declarations playing a direct role.”
Proposed Solutions
Stakeholders recommend:
- Legal reforms granting CCB autonomy and prosecutorial powers
- Digital declaration systems with public access provisions
- Increased funding and capacity building
- Whistleblower protections
- Public awareness campaigns
- International cooperation under UNCAC and AU frameworks
The Path Forward
As Nigeria grapples with corruption challenges, strengthening the asset declaration system emerges as a critical accountability mechanism. Experts emphasize that meaningful reform requires political will, institutional independence, and active citizen engagement to transform the CCB into an effective anti-corruption tool.