The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Abubakar Bello, has disclosed that several former ministers and senior government officials in Nigeria are under investigation for alleged corruption, with at least one former minister already arraigned in court.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Bello said the bureau has intensified scrutiny of high-profile individuals, dismissing claims that anti-corruption efforts focus only on low-ranking public officers.
He revealed that investigations are ongoing into another former minister and a serving senior government official, but declined to name them to avoid compromising due process.
According to Bello, the CCB has also secured interim forfeiture orders and made recoveries in cases involving local government chairmen and senior state officials.
He rejected accusations that politically exposed persons are shielded, insisting the bureau operates strictly within the law and is guided by evidence rather than public opinion or political considerations.
Explaining the bureau’s cautious communication style, Bello warned against turning allegations into media trials, noting that unproven claims can permanently damage reputations.
According to him, asset declaration remains the bureau’s primary tool in detecting corruption, with public officers required to declare their assets at the start and end of their tenure. Unexplained increases in wealth, he added, often form the basis for investigations and prosecution.
Bello said the CCB also acts on petitions from citizens and public servants, stressing that failure to declare assets or account for income sources would lead to legal action.
He acknowledged that limited manpower, funding challenges and manual processes have affected the bureau’s effectiveness, especially given its responsibility for overseeing millions of public servants nationwide.
To address these constraints, Bello said the bureau has adopted a risk-based strategy that prioritises high-impact cases and is preparing to roll out an online asset declaration system to improve transparency and efficiency.
He concluded by assuring Nigerians that the CCB remains committed to holding public officials accountable, regardless of status, and to strengthening institutional reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the anti-corruption fight.
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