The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, FCCA, CFE, RT, with his team yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, in a significant move to foster collaboration between the two institutions.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Bello emphasized the need for a strong partnership between the CCB and NBA, particularly in the areas of case assistance, joint training, capacity building, and enlightenment of courts. He highlighted the importance of NBA’s support in cases before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and sought cooperation on key areas of reform, including the whistleblower policy and a bill currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
Dr. Bello reiterated the Bureau’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in public office and expressed confidence that working with the NBA would significantly enhance the CCB’s effectiveness in enforcing ethical standards.
In his response, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe acknowledged the vital role the CCB plays in combating corruption. He reaffirmed that Nigerians strongly believe in eradicating corruption and emphasized the importance of tracking assets and ensuring accurate asset declarations.
Osigwe, however, raised concerns over the structure and effectiveness of the current asset declaration forms, stating that while they should be a potent tool in fighting corruption, they have not lived up to expectations. He questioned whether the CCB was adequately equipped to handle the crucial responsibility of monitoring asset declarations and ensuring compliance.
He stressed that asset declaration should be taken more seriously and that public office holders must truthfully declare whatever they own. The NBA President welcomed proposed reforms in the CCB and expressed optimism that a well-structured and enforced asset declaration process could significantly curb corruption in public service.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the NBA pledging its support for the CCB in achieving its objectives. Osigwe assured the Bureau of its willingness to collaborate on legal and structural reforms that would strengthen asset declaration mechanisms and improve public trust in the system.
Accompanying Dr. Bello were other members of the CCB team, including RT Hon. Taofiq Abdulsalam, Moses Atolagbe, Dr. Fatima-Kere-Ahmed, Ekenma Okezie-Okafor, Sani Mohammed, M. Alika, Joseph Abechi, and Abisat Abu.
