From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The elected political officeholders in the 13 local government areas and 171 wards of Ebonyi State have been advised by the Code of Conduct Bureau to declare their respective assets at the stipulated period to avoid facing its tribunal examination.
The Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau in Ebonyi State, Mr A. F. Akinfolarin gave this advice during his sensitization visit to the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba, and other elected officials at Nkaliki, the council headquarters.
He said a long delay by the elected council officials to declare their assets on time has adverse effects, as that may link them with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Akinfolarin stated this during his sensitization visit to the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mrs Vivian Etta Ayele, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Nicodemus Umanyi and other ward councillors of the LGA to guide them on how to declare their assets as political officeholders.
According to him, his sensitization visit to the council-elected authorities was in line with the provisions of the law as regards public service procurements, the Code of Conduct Bureau.
While interfacing with the elected officers at the Abakaliki Council Headquarters, Nkaliki, the Director noted that the essence of the assets declaration was to make the elected political officeholders accountable to the people as public servants.
Mr Akinfolarin reiterated the importance of the exercise and maintained that the asset declaration would always serve as a reference point especially when dealing with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) on public funds accountability.
He stressed that the council-elected political officeholders "are liable to face Code of Conduct Tribunal if they fail to comply within a stipulated period."
Responding, the Executive e Chairman Abakaliki Council Area, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba commended the team of the Code of Conduct Bureau for taking the awareness campaign to his office.
He assured cooperation with the body in accomplishing its ethical objective, adding that the political office holders in Abakaliki Local Government Area would always work in compliance with the Nigerian code of conduct.
Recall that the Abakaliki Council Chairman, Hon Stephen Ebere Nwogba, his Vice Chairman, Mrs Vivian Etta Iyele, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Nicodemus Umanyi and other ward councillors of the LGA also guided them on how to declare their assets as political officeholders by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
