The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has declined a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to disclose the details of the assets declared by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, in accordance with the law.
The request, submitted by The Findwhosabi on June 22, 2023, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, sought the assets declared by both the President and the Vice President. The CCB received and acknowledged the request on June 26, 2023, but has failed to comply with the seven-day timeframe required by the FOI Act to provide the information.
A human rights lawyer, Deji Ajare, stated that the refusal of the CCB to release the details of the assets declaration is a clear violation of the principles enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act. The Act was designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and access to information of public interest.
Another public-interest lawyer, Festus Ogun, highlighted that while the court’s interpretation of the law might not explicitly obligate elected officials to disclose their assets, he encouraged President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to voluntarily make their assets public for the sake of transparency and accountability.
The refusal of the CCB to provide the requested information raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the government.