CCB: We have no power to publicise Buhari’s asset

Sam Saba (pictured), chairman, code of conduct bureau (CCB), says the bureau has no legal powers to publicise the assets of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the president has promised to make his assets public within his first 100 days in office, noting that the mandate of the bureau was to ensure that the assets were declared and verified.

“We do not have power to make the assets declared by the president public,” he said.

“The president has in a statement through his media aide said he will make his submissions public after the bureau has verified within his first 100 days in office.

“The CCB does not have the right to make anybody’s assets declaration available on pages of newspaper or online.”

Saba said some public officers fail to declare their assets out of ignorance, pointing out that the constitution mandates all public officers to do so.

He added that there were public servants who do not also know that they are not supposed to operate foreign bank accounts.

“My message for public office holders is to study the constitution because I think in this country, we have poor reading habits,” he said.

“Most people come into public office in ignorance. They don’t know what the law provides and so, by the time you show them, they will tell you they do not know.

“All these should have been taken into considerations when seeking election or appointment into public office.

“I believe that if people have read all these and are aware, it will help them to take decisions that will help them to serve the people.”