Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to remain apolitical and maintain strict independence.

Mr Shettima made the call on Friday when he received a delegation from the CCB led by its Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He also implored the CCB to sustain its digitisation process to create a system that allows public officers to declare assets and liabilities electronically from any location.

This, according to him, will eliminate delays and inefficiencies associated with paper forms, as well as match what obtains in foreign jurisdictions.

The vice president, who congratulated the CCB boss and his team on their assumption of office, cautioned them against any controversy.

He said, “Remain steadfast. Be as apolitical as humanly possible and do your job as much as you can.”

Mr Shettima acknowledged the CCB’s current efforts, especially in the digitisation process.

He observed that the world was changing and the bureau has to move with the tide.

He emphasised the need for the CCB to insist on the path of digitisation, maintaining that “the bureau has a vital role to play in promoting and projecting a good image for Nigeria.

“There is no need for public officials thronging your offices trying to fill in some forms.

“You can take them to task, since it has been digitised. You expect everyone to play by the rules,” the vice president added.

Earlier, Mr Bello thanked President Bola Tinubu for increased budgetary allocation to the bureau.

He noted that the CCB had undergone several reforms, including the digitisation of its associated processes.

He stated that the bureau had increased verification, investigation, and prosecution, leading to several recoveries within and outside Nigeria, including in London.

Mr Bello assured that the bureau would continue to sustain the anti-corruption fight for the betterment of the country. 

(NAN)