The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has mandated all public office holders whose tenure elapses on May 29 to submit their asset declaration forms by next week Tuesday.
Charity Utok, CCB’s Chief Press Officer, disclosed this in an interview on Friday.
Utok noted that the deadline is in line with Paragraph 11 of Part 1 to the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which requires public office holders to declare their asset upon their assumption of office, as well as the expiration of their tenure.
She explained that any outgoing public officer who fails to submit his or her asset declaration form by the stipulated deadline would be referred to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
“For those who are finishing their tenure, they must declare as soon as they step out,” Utok told the Punch.
“Anyone who fails to declare their assets will be taken before the tribunal.
“Those in the asset declaration section of the tribunal will compile their names and they will be charged before the tribunal for trial.”
According to Paragraphs 1 to 16 of the Part II of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, those expected to declare their assets are the President, Vice-President, President and Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Speakers and Deputy Speakers of state Houses of Assembly and all members of legislative houses.
Others are Governors and Deputy Governors, ministers, commissioners and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
It was also learnt that the outgoing members of the National Assembly are expected to submit their asset declaration forms on Saturday, June 8, ahead of the expiration of their tenure the following day.
