Corruption: Nigeria’s Conduct Bureau Under Fire

Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

The Inter Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering also known as GIABA on Thursday berated the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, over the Bureau’s dismal performance in its statutory responsibility of ensuring accountability by public officials .

GIABA berated the Conduct Bureau saying it has checked every record, including the websites of the Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to see where CCB has properly executed its mandate of ensuring that both public and civil servants declare their assets, but have seen none.

The Director General of GIABA, Mr. Abdullahi Shehu gave the shocking revelation at a one-day programme organized by the CCB in Abuja termed as Compliance Training for Chief executive Officers and Heads of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Shehu, who was represented at the event by a senior official of the group, in a power point presentation further stressed that it would be a waste of fund by the Nigerian government to continue to fund such an institution that has no relevance.

“We have gone through CCB’s website and records and have not seen any
case over infringement in its mandate that has been prosecuted to a logical conclusion. It therefore seemed to us that most of the cases are politically motivated”.

GIABA which is a major partner at the event, also wondered whether the Conduct Bureau is a tool used by government to witch-hunt perceived political opponents.

The organization is the institution of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which is responsible for facilitating the adoption and implementation of Anti-Money Laundering, AML, and Counter Terrorism Financing, CTF, in West Africa.

It is also the FATF Styled Regional Body (FSRB) in West Africa and works with states in the region to ensure compliance with international AML / CFT standards.

GIABA’s mandate includes the Development of Strategies to protect the economies of Member States from abuse and the laundering of the proceeds of crime as well as the Improvement of measures and intensification of efforts to combat the laundering of proceeds of crime in West Africa.