Anticipatory Asset Declaration: EFCC Exposes New Tactic Used by Public Officers to Mask Corruption

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has revealed a disturbing new trend among Nigerian public officers involving the anticipatory declaration of assets. Speaking on 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 Abuja, he disclosed that many public officials are now listing assets they do not yet own in official forms. This fraudulent practice is intended to justify the illicit acquisition of public funds and conceal corrupt activities.

Mr. Olukoyede detailed an instance where an investigation uncovered a high-value property declared on a CCB asset declaration form, valued at over N3 billion. However, the declared property address did not match the actual location, and further probing revealed that the property did not even exist at the time of declaration. This case exemplifies how public officers manipulate anticipatory asset declarations as a cover for anticipated corruption.

He urged the CCB leadership to intensify investigations using innovative and technology-driven approaches to clamp down on this sophisticated form of corruption.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, endorsed the new virtual tool launched by CCB, describing it as a milestone that enhances digitization and technology-driven oversight of public conduct. He emphasized that strict adherence to ethical standards is foundational for effective public service, and the tool is designed to foster preventive compliance and raise public awareness.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of Service, highlighted the critical role of technology in governance reforms, describing the virtual tool as fast, smart, transparent, and accessible. She underlined that ethical governance is non-negotiable for lasting reform and praised the tool’s capacity to promote transparency, compliance tracking, and cost-effectiveness.

Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Abdullahi Usman Bello, affirmed that the tool will enhance accountability among public officers by providing user-friendly guidance on the rules and regulations guiding public service conduct.

This development signals continued efforts by Nigerian authorities to use digital innovation to improve transparency and accountability in public service amid persistent challenges of corruption. The anticipatory asset declaration tactic exposes the evolving challenges faced by enforcement agencies, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies backed by technology and strong institutional collaboration.

Through such initiatives, the government aims to curb fraudulent practices, promote ethical standards, and restore public trust in the governance system. Public servants are urged to embrace the new tool as part of a collective commitment to integrity and good governance.

This story reflects the ongoing battle against corruption in Nigeria, highlighting both the sophisticated methods used by corrupt officials and the innovative responses by regulatory agencies to safeguard public resources and ethical governance.