The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has highlighted the necessity of collaborating with other anti-corruption agencies to address the issue of corruption in the country.
Mr Murtala Kankia, the Acting Chairman, CCB, said this during the inauguration of a new department – Proceeds of Crimes Recovery Recovery and Management – in Abuja on Tuesday.
Kankia said that the partnership with other agencies was vital in the fight against corruption to strengthen existing frameworks while also evolving new strategies.
According to him, the newly inaugurated department aims to create a uniform framework for efficient, traceable, accountable and transparent asset recovery, management and disposal process.
The acting chairman recalled that Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 12, 2022.
Kankia said that despite the new Act, challenges remained in the effective management of recovered assets.
“The Bureau faces challenges like inadequate funding, shortage of manpower and lack of office accommodation which hinder our operations.
“We have achieved successes in prosecuting defaulters, providing intelligence to sister agencies, and digitising asset declaration processes.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 is a positive step, but its effectiveness depends on the government’s political will to implement it transparently and hold public officers accountable for their assets,” he said.
He reiterated the CCB’s role in utilising tools like public education and asset tracking to prevent corruption before it occurs.
He noted that the meeting served as a platform for recognising past efforts and fostering new ideas to combat corruption effectively.
Kankia called for unity and dedication, urging all stakeholders to work together to make Nigeria proud during this critical period of reform and accountability.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Sen. Neda Imasuen, said that corruption had long been a formidable challenge undermining governance and depriving the nation of its rightful resources
Imasuen, also the Chairman of the occasion, said that the establishment of the department signified a bold stance against the pervasive menace and a strategic approach to addressing the scourge of corruption.
“The establishment of the Proceeds of Crime, Recovery, and Management Department is the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
“This department represents a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and a testament to the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of public institutions.
“The department’s role encompasses the meticulous process of identifying the sources of illicit funds, ensuring their recovery through legal means, and effectively tracing, recovering, and managing assets that have been illicitly acquired.
“This responsibility is of paramount importance in ensuring the judicious management of recovered assets for the benefit of citizens,” he said.
Imasuen urged members of the inaugurated department to operate with transparency, accountability, and efficiency, fostering a culture of integrity and professionalism.
“The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions will play a crucial role in assisting the department to realise its goals and ensuring accountability within public institutions.
“The department will need to establish strong partnerships with other relevant agencies, both within Nigeria and internationally, to enhance its capacity to effectively trace and recover stolen assets.”
Mr Musa Adamu, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), stressed that the CCB’s asset declaration forms were crucial for assessing public officials. lifestyles and combating corruption.
He said that prior to the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2022, there was no solid legal framework for tracing and recovering ill-gotten wealth
He added that the introduction of POCA has enabled agencies like the ICPC to pursue asset recovery more effectively, but challenges remain in managing these recovered assets, such as properties and shares.
Aliyu called for a collaboration among Nigeria’s key anti-corruption agencies, including the CCB, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for effective discharge of duties.
He further called for regional cooperation within Africa to address the challenges of recovering assets hidden abroad, advocating for a unified approach among African nations to tackle these issues collectively. (NAN)
