Nigeria: Strengthen, Don't Just "Open" the Assets Declaration Process in Nigeria

opinion

I am not a lawyer, so I am sure you will forgive possible errors in my reading of the law regarding assets declaration by public officials in Nigeria. A lot has been said about the "declaration" made by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). These declarations fell short of the expectations of Nigerians who rightly wanted to see copies of these documents in the public domain; but do they fall short of the law? Reading Section 140 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) we learn that:

A person elected to the office of President shall not begin to perform the functions of that office until he has declared his assets and liabilities as prescribed in this Constitution and he has taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of office prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.