Last Updated on December 16, 2014 by admin
The State Director, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Ogun State, Mr. Elisha Rabiu, has disclosed that the only legitimate business a Public Officer could engage in aside his/her official work was farming because engaging in any other business was Illegal. Mr. Rabiu made this known at an interactive meeting between members of staff of the University and officials of the Bureau, held recently.
The State Director said the main purpose of visiting FUNAAB was to enlighten staff on how to complete the Assets Declaration Form, saying that as a Public Officer, there are things that were not being done properly, as he reeled out provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers under the Nigerian Constitution. According to him, there is conflict of interest when a Public Officer’s personal affairs interfered with his/her official duties. The Director added that acceptance of gifts was illegal, noting that members of Tenders Committee were prohibited by law to receive gifts or gratification from contractors who work in their establishments. He added that the only legitimate loans that could be obtained by public officers are those from co-operatives, unions, banks and financial institutions recognised by the government. He added that in the event of an allegation of breach of the code of conduct, a petition could be addressed to CCB while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be copied. “If you want to write petition as a result of breach of the code of conduct, please, copy EFCC because we are working together”, he added.
Mr. Rabiu stated further that there was no opportunity for prerogative of mercy when the Code of Conduct Tribunal had already convicted someone, adding that there is, however, an opportunity for appeal. He said that an officer could declare his/her liabilities on a sheet of paper and attach it to the Assets Form, which he/she would be required to fill in another four years. The forms are expected to be filled and attested to by the Court before being submitted to the CCB Office. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Adekojo Waheed.
