Tinubu, Other Elected Officials Must Declare Their Assets Before Inauguration, Warns Code Of Conduct Bureau

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has asked president-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and vice president-elect Kashim Shettima along with 28 soon-to-be governors to declare their assets before the presidential inauguration, which is scheduled for May 29.

CCB spokesperson Veronica Kato told Punch that several elected officials across the country have started picking up their asset declaration forms from the agency's offices, and added the official proclamation was important ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Kato further shared that these officials are expected to submit these copies before the inauguration day. The officials leaving their seats are also supposed to fill out the assets declaration forms from the CCB and submit them within the same duration.

"The development is going on in the 36 other offices as we are doing it at the head office here in the Federal Capital Territory," she told the outlet. "Hence, until we are done receiving their filled forms, and have collated the figures, we cannot specifically tell the total number of persons that have picked up or submitted their forms."

The spokesperson warned all the officials that if the assets declaration wasn't submitted, then they will not be sworn in on the inauguration day, as per the 1999 constitution.

"That is what is contained in our law," she noted. "Before the oath of office would be conferred on any elected public officials, they must submit their assets declaration forms. It is part of the requirements for the swearing-in ceremony."

In Ogun state, more than 40 incoming public officials have obtained the assets declaration forms.

A CCB unnamed official told Punch that the state governor, deputy governor, nine members of the House of Representatives, three Senators, and 26 members of the state House of Assembly had collected the assets declaration forms.

"All of them have come to obtain the forms. Even, those who were not returned (to office) have also come to obtain the forms," the source added. "Some have submitted; they must submit before May 29."

The unidentified official said the Bank Verification Numbers helped verify and disclose the bank account details of the person.

A senior advocate of Nigeria, Augustine Alegeh, also explained the importance of assets declaration, calling it a "part of the taking over processes."

"Before swearing-in, there are protocols that are supposed to be sealed and signed," he added. "It is submitted and the high court signs before swearing in alongside other documents like the certificate of return."

"The constitution says before they take their oath of office and oath of allegiance; before they assume the function of that office," the advocate continued. "The focus should be that an elected official is expected to declare his assets upon assumption and after four years."

The Conduct of Conduct Bureau's warning came as president-elect Tinubu's pre-hearing of petitions challenging his victory started on Monday. A senior lawyer in Tinubu's team explained that pre-hearing includes scheduling the hearing, checking the number of witnesses, how many minutes the witness will use, and how to admit the documents.

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has filed a petition to challenge Tinubu's victory in the presidential elections held on Feb. 25. Archbishop John Onaiyekan said last week that Tinubu's swearing ceremony before hearing the court's judgment makes no sense.