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CCB snubs the FOI Law, denies access to asset declarations by Presidents and govs
Yemie ADEOYE
ABUJA-IN what may be described as a twist of the Freedom of Information Act, The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has denied a Freedom of Information request demanding specific details of asset declarations submitted the bureau by successive presidents and state governors since 1999, arguing that“producing such information would amount to an invasion of privacy of presidents and state governors. Asset declaration form is private information.”
CCB’s response followed FOI request by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in April addressed to Dr. Muhammed Isah, Chairman, CCB, urging him to: “provide information on asset declarations by successive presidents and state governors between 1999 and 2019, including details of declarations made immediately after taking offices and thereafter, and for those who have left public offices, at the end of their term of office.”
SERAP also sought “information on the number of asset declarations so far verified by the CCB and the number of those declarations found to be false and deemed to be in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, by the Bureau.”
However, the CCB in a letter by its Chairman, which SERAP said it just received, stated: “Paragraph 3(c) of the 3rd Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) empowers the Bureau to retain custody of asset declaration and make them available for inspection by any citizen on such terms and conditions to be prescribed by the National Assembly. These terms and conditions are yet to be prescribed.”
The CCB also said: “Assuming the Freedom of Information Act is the term and condition, Sections 12(1)(v) and 14(1)(b) of the Act makes information in the asset declaration form private and producing such information would be an invasion of privacy of presidents and governors. Section 14(2)(3) of the same Act stipulate conditions for granting requests for private information but these have not been met by SERAP’s application.”
The letter with reference number CCB/HQ/LU/047/59 and signed on behalf of CCB Chairman by Musa Ibrahim Usman, read in part: “Section 12(1)(a)(4)(a)(b) exempt production of information relating to investigation for the purposes of law enforcement and such investigation must have been carried out pursuant to an Act or regulation. Verification is investigation carried out pursuant to Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act for the purposes of law enforcement.”
“Referring breaches of the Code of Conduct for public officers to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution is a matter of discretion of the Bureau and not a matter of FOI.”
“Consequently, I am further directed to convey to you that the request in SERAP’s application for information on details of asset declarations by presidents and state governors since the return of democracy in 1999 is hereby denied on the grounds that it falls short of the requirement of the law. Please accept the assurances of the highest esteem of the Chairman CCB.”
SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, said: “Freedom of information is a fundamental right. The contents of asset declarations by successive presidents and state governors do not amount to private information, as presidents and governors are public officers under Part II, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.”
According to SERAP: “Declarations of assets are constitutional commitments imposed only on public officers, and made by virtue of occupying entrusted public positions and offices. Therefore, details provided in any such asset declaration forms are public information, and not private information.”
SERAP said: “Also, the National Assembly, having been constitutionally vested with power by paragraph 3[c], Third Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, to make laws on this subject matter, has since prescribed the mode for inspection of asset declarations by passage of Freedom of Information Act in 2011.”
SERAP also said: “That’s why we’re going to court to challenge the decision by the CCB denying our FOI request, and refusing to provide details of asset declarations by presidents and state governors since the return of democracy in 1999. Make no mistake: The CCB’s refusal to disclose these details is a breach of settled constitutional and international principles, plain and simple.”
It would be recalled that SERAP had in its FOI stated that: “While we welcome the judgment by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Justice Walter Onnoghen, we now urge the CCB to extend its mandates to enforce constitutional provisions on asset declarations by public officers to cover elected officers and to vigorously pursue the prosecution of any such officers who use their powers either as presidents or state governors over public funds to enrich themselves.”
The FOI request read in part: “While judicial corruption is bad, the level of corruption involving many politicians since 1999 and the entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators is equally appalling. Publishing the asset declarations of elected public officers would improve public trust in the ability of the Bureau to effectively discharge its mandates. This would in turn put pressure on public officers like presidents and state governors to make voluntary public declaration of their assets.”
“SERAP is concerned that many politicians hide behind the fact that members of the public do not have access to their asset declarations to make false declarations, and to cover up assets illegally acquired in corruption or abuse of office. The CCB can use the opportunity presented by the Onnoghen judgment to increase the accountability of politicians through the asset declaration provisions if it is not to be accused of witch-hunting the judiciary.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have called for specialised judges, improved digital evidence management and legal reforms to accelerate the prosecution of corruption and other financial crime cases in Nigeria.
The recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 8th Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held in Abuja from October 13 to 15, 2026.
The workshop, organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the NJI, was themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age.”
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According to a statement signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the workshop brought together justices and judges from across the country, alongside EFCC investigators and prosecutors, for three days of lectures and deliberations.
Participants resolved that designating specialised judges and court staff to handle corruption cases, alongside targeted training, would help address delays in the administration of justice.
According to the communiqué, delays in resolving corruption cases “will be greatly reduced by designating specialised judges and court staff to handle such cases as well as equipping such judges and courts with necessary skills through training to ensure efficient, certain and consistent application of existing laws in the administration of justice.”
The participants also called for a balance between protecting the rights of defendants and ensuring the speedy administration of justice.
They said the criminal justice system “must strike the proper balance between fairness, efficiency and legal certainty in the protection of individual rights on one hand and the speedy administration of justice, on the other hand.”
To achieve this, they recommended reviewing relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act where necessary.
EFCC, NJI Seek Better Digital Evidence Management
The participants called for stronger investigation standards, including improved digital management protocols, to ensure that prosecutions rely on credible and admissible evidence.
They also recommended a more coordinated approach to obtaining confessional statements, stressing that institutionalising video recording and other necessary safeguards would protect suspects’ rights and preserve the integrity of investigations.
On asset recovery, the communiqué described Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture proceedings as “an effective tool for recovery of stolen assets.”
However, participants stressed that its use “must follow extant legal protocols, adherence to human rights standards and strong institutional oversight.”
They also called for procedural reforms to allow extensions of time for freezing suspected proceeds of financial crimes.
Participants Recommend AI Guidelines for Judiciary
The communiqué further called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the anti-corruption sector to work with the National Assembly and the Judiciary to develop governance protocols and policy guidelines for adopting and deploying artificial intelligence in the administration of justice.
Participants also urged stakeholders to familiarise themselves with existing laws and regulations governing the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of financial crime cases involving virtual assets.
These include the Investment and Securities Act (2025), the Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination (2026), the Rules on Digital and Virtual Assets Operations (2026) and the Proceeds of Crime Act (2022).
The workshop also highlighted the need for increased investment in digital forensic laboratories, technology infrastructure and specialised training for investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers.
Participants called for continuous training to equip judicial officers and anti-corruption agencies with the skills required to address evolving economic and financial crimes in line with global best practices.
On the use of open-source intelligence, they said investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers should treat it primarily as a source of investigative leads and corroboration, while ensuring that evidence relied upon in court complies with applicable evidential rules.
NJI, NJC Urged to Develop Certification Courses
The communiqué recommended that the NJI, working with the National Judicial Council (NJC), develop accredited certificate and diploma courses to equip judges and other relevant stakeholders with the skills required to improve justice delivery, subject to any necessary legislative review.
Participants also called for sustained coordination among stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice, particularly in sharing information on emerging trends in the investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes in the digital age.
They urged heads of courts to use insights from the workshop to develop policies clarifying judicial practice on the technical issues discussed.
The workshop featured nine interactive sessions covering the admissibility of confessional statements, garnishee proceedings, abuse of court processes, asset forfeiture, artificial intelligence in investigations and prosecutions, virtual asset recovery and digital forensics.
Attendees included justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, judges of the Federal High Court, State High Courts and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside other stakeholders in the judiciary and anti-corruption sector.
Participants expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the workshop by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, as well as other stakeholders and organisers who contributed to its success.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted motorists to traffic delays along Ogunnusi Road towards Ojodu-Berger due to ongoing rehabilitation work.
LASTMA disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Sunday, stating that the road rehabilitation was being carried out by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).
According to the agency, “The ongoing work is affecting traffic flow, with vehicles moving at a slower pace in both directions.”
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To ease the situation, LASTMA said a contraflow arrangement had been introduced for motorists travelling from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction.
“A contraflow arrangement is in place for vehicles coming from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction to facilitate the movement of traffic,” the agency stated.
LASTMA added that its personnel had been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the continuous movement of vehicles around the affected area.
“Our personnel are on ground managing the traffic situation and ensuring the continuous flow of vehicular movement,” the agency said.
The traffic management authority advised motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while the rehabilitation work continues.
“Motorists are advised to exercise patience and drive with caution while the rehabilitation work continues,” LASTMA stated.
Leading economists, financial experts and industry stakeholders have described the Dangote Group’s investments as major drivers of industrialisation and economic transformation across Nigeria and Africa.
The experts cited the Group’s impact on job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange conservation and economic competitiveness.
They voiced their thoughts at the Lagos Economic Summit themed “The Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity,” where they urged governments to implement policies that strengthen local industries and accelerate economic diversification.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu, commended the Dangote Group’s sustained investments across Africa, describing them as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
He noted that while recent economic reforms have improved foreign exchange stability, strengthened reserves and eased inflationary pressures, the focus must now shift to growth in industry, productivity and employment.
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Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, said industrialisation remains the most effective path to sustainable economic development.
He called for better alignment of trade and industrial policies, stressing that local manufacturers require strategic support to compete effectively and drive broader economic benefits.
Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said Africa’s growing population presents a significant industrial opportunity, noting that investments such as the Dangote Refinery are helping to retain capital within the continent while strengthening local production capacity.
In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a consumption-led economy to one driven by investment and production.
He added that sustained investments in productive sectors will continue to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve living standards.
Participants at the summit also advocated stronger credit infrastructure, improved national identification systems and increased investment in skills development to enhance the productivity and global competitiveness of Africa’s growing youth population.
Photo Caption: From Left – Chief Economist, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman of Occasion/Special Guest of Honour, Samaila Zubairu; Key Note Speaker Session 1, Bismarck Rewane; during the Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity, Sponsored by Dangote Industry Limited in Lagos on Thursday 3, September 2026.
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