Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, has directed all members of staff of FCT administration, including Secretariat, Department and Agencies (SDAs), to immediately declare their assets.
Under the provisions of paragraph 11 of the 5th Schedule of the Federal Constitution, any public officer who fails to declare his/her assets as required, shall attract on conviction any or all of the following: “Removal from office, disqualification from holding any public office and forfeiture to the state any property acquired in abuse of office or dishonesty.”
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA director of Establishment and Training, S.H. Mohammed.
Bello said the directive became necessary in view of the need to ensure that all civil servants comply with the requirements of the law under the provisions of Paragraph 11 of the 5th Schedule of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the circular, all serving public officers are to declare their assets and liabilities on: “assumption of office; at the end of term of office; at Interval of four years for public officers on continuous employment of Government and at such intervals as may be determined from time to time.
The minister therefore directed all members of staff to fill the assets declaration form and submit the acknowledgement slip to the office of the permanent secretary on or before March 31, 2016.
He, however, said those members of staff who have earlier declared their assets should submit their acknowledgment slips along with others on the said date.
Recall that Senate president, Bukola Saraki, is presently facing trial over non-declaration of assets and liabilities while serving as governor of Kwara State.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act provides that it is mandatory for all public officers whether elected, appointed, recruited, contracted, etc, by whatever name called to collect and sign the form from the CBC office nearest to their work station in any of the 36 states of the Federation and FCT or the CBC headquarters.
It also provides that “every declarant is required by Law to declare his/her assets/liability including that of his spouse(s) who is not a public officer and children under 18 years age, honestly, sincerely and submit same to the Bureau within 30 days of the receipt of the forms.”
