Reject bribes, uphold integrity, CCB warns new officers

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The Code of Conduct Bureau has charged its newly trained officers to reject corruption and uphold integrity in their duties.

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The CCB Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Bello, gave the charge on Monday at the closing ceremony of a four-week training programme in Abuja.

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The programme was held at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Academy, Karu, for newly recruited CCB investigation and enforcement officers.

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Bello described the training as a landmark collaboration between the two anti-corruption agencies.

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He said it was the first time the CCB had sent a full set of newly recruited officers to the EFCC Academy.

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According to him, the officers were equipped with the skills required to investigate, examine and enforce the Code of Conduct.

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He, however, stressed that integrity must remain central to their responsibilities.

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“Graduation is not the end of training. It is the beginning of responsibility.

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“You will handle asset declarations, support verification and take part in investigations. You will sit across the table from public officers who have more money, power and connections than you.

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“Some will test you with fear; some will test you with a small envelope and a nice smile. If you fail that test, this result means nothing,” Bello said.

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The chairman also charged the officers to protect the confidentiality of declarations and other information in their custody.

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He warned them against unauthorised disclosure of confidential information obtained in the course of their duties.

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Bello said the bureau would ensure that the officers were properly posted, mentored and supervised to justify the investment in their training.

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He commended the EFCC for opening its academy to CCB officers and supporting the capacity-building programme.

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Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the training resulted from collaboration among Nigeria’s major anti-corruption agencies.

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Olukoyede said the agencies had agreed to strengthen collaboration, particularly in training, to improve their operational effectiveness.

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“This is the fruit of it. Now, the EFCC has been able to train the staff members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, the cadets.

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“From now, you will begin to see different changes in the way they do things.

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“More zeal in the area of enforcement, as well as more commitment to prevention; that is what we have been able to instil in them,” he said.

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In a goodwill message, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the CCB played a critical role in Nigeria’s governance architecture.

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The minister was represented by the Director of Public Relations and Protocol in the ministry, Mr Haruna Suleiman.

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Idris said the bureau’s constitutional mandate to promote high standards of conduct in public office was fundamental to transparency, accountability and public trust.

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He said the fight against corruption could not be won through enforcement alone, but required prevention, ethical leadership, public enlightenment and strong institutions.

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“These are not generic professional requirements; they are the values upon which public confidence in government and its institutions is built.

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“The fight against corruption is therefore a shared responsibility. Government institutions, the media, civil society, professional bodies and, most importantly, citizens all have a role to play,” he said.

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The minister urged the graduating officers to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme into professional conduct and effective performance.

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He said every investigation conducted fairly, declaration properly examined and complaint handled professionally contributed to building a public service Nigerians could trust.

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Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo commended the CCB leadership for strengthening officers’ capacity.

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Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, said the partnership demonstrated the importance of building strong and effective anti-corruption institutions.

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He said the EFCC had grown significantly since its establishment, adding that the CCB was also being repositioned to strengthen its constitutional responsibilities.

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Oyedepo urged the newly trained officers to remain committed to their duties and resist pressure to compromise their responsibilities.

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He said the officers had assumed responsibility at a time Nigeria needed strong institutions and public officials capable of explaining their sources of wealth.

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“Will you last throughout your service? Will you compromise? Will you betray Nigeria?

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“Nigeria is in need of you, and you are in need of Nigeria. Nigeria is in need of your professionalism, integrity and courage,” he said.

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The ceremony marked the completion of the four-week basic investigation and enforcement training programme for newly recruited CCB officers at the EFCC Academy.

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(NAN)

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