The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has called on the newly elected, re-elected and outgoing public officers to declare their assets before May 29.

Mustapha Musa, the special assistant to CCB chairman, Mohammed Isah, said this when he spoke with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The constitution is clear on defaulters. Hence they should declare before they are sworn in or face the consequences,” he said.

Mr Musa said the bureau had issued declaration forms to the new and returning officers, adding that some completed forms had been submitted. 

“Though, from previous experience, we hardly have had any problem with elected public officers, they do fill and return their forms, but it is important we remind them of the need to comply with the provisions of the law,” Mr Musa said.

Mr Musa said that aside from elected public officers, appointed public officers and civil servants should also endeavour to declare their assets.

He added that apart from asset declaration, the officers must comply with all the codes of the bureau.

“We always urge them to comply with the code of conduct as enshrined under the fifth schedule of the constitution of the country, not only asset declaration,” Mr Musa explained. “They should comply with other codes, like the prohibition of bribery and corruption, abuse of power, among others, because it is for the betterment of our country.”

He added, “When things get better, corruption will be defeated, and we will have a country we will be proud of.”

(NAN)