“Report Public Officials Living Above Their Means” — CCB Chairman Bello Urges Nigerians

Abdullahi Bello, chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has called on Nigerians to report public officials suspected of living beyond their legitimate income. In an interview with Daily Trust, Bello emphasized that citizens play a vital role in holding public servants accountable and announced that the CCB will soon launch a dedicated platform for submitting such complaints.

Bello said one of his first actions as chairman was the creation of a forensic accounting and financial investigation unit within the bureau. Drawing on his previous experience with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he explained that the unit scrutinizes asset declarations made by public officers. By comparing a public official’s declared assets at the beginning and end of a given period, investigators can detect unexplained increases in net worth. He confirmed that several public officers, including high-profile individuals, have already been invited for questioning, and assured that the outcomes of ongoing investigations will soon be made public.

The chairman urged the media and civil society to actively monitor and report the bureau’s efforts, stressing that transparency and public involvement are essential to the fight against corruption. Bello encouraged Nigerians to report suspicions of unexplained wealth, even without access to official asset declarations, adding that reports can be submitted anonymously to protect the identity of whistleblowers.

He reiterated that asset declaration is a legal obligation for all public servants, regardless of the size of their assets, and warned that false or incomplete declarations are criminal offenses. While Nigeria is yet to enact a whistleblower protection law, Bello said the bureau is working on a legislative proposal to ensure that individuals who choose to disclose their identities while reporting misconduct are legally protected.