Politician Listed N3bn Non-Existent Property in Asset Declaration — EFCC Boss

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised alarm over a growing trend among Nigerian politicians — the “anticipatory declaration” of assets, a tactic used to legitimise future embezzlement of public funds.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the launch of a Virtual Tool on the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in partnership with the Technical Unit on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Olukoyede recounted a recent investigation that exposed the practice.

According to him, EFCC operatives discovered a high-profile politician who had declared ownership of a property valued at over ₦3 billion in their CCB asset form. However, further checks revealed that the listed address did not match the actual property’s location. “After digging deeper, we found the property did not even exist at the time it was declared,” he said.

He urged the CCB leadership to adopt more innovative investigative methods to detect such fraudulent declarations and clamp down on corrupt practices.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stressed that adherence to ethical standards remains the foundation of public service. He described the new virtual tool as a milestone in digitising public conduct oversight, promoting compliance, and raising awareness.

The Head of the Civil Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, highlighted technology’s role in governance, saying, “It is faster, smarter, and more transparent. Without ethics, no reform will last.” She noted that the tool’s accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and transparency will aid tracking and compliance.

In his remarks, CCB Chairman Abdullahi Usman Bello said the platform will enhance accountability, guide public officers through step-by-step compliance rules, and ensure they uphold the highest standards in their duties.