It responded to Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), seeking disclosure of assets declaration submitted by successive presidents and governors from 1999 till date. In its request, the group asked the CCB to provide details of declarations made immediately after taking office and at the end of their term of office for those who have left public offices. SERAP also asked the CCB to make public information on the number of asset declarations so far verified by the Bureau and the number of declarations found to be false and which breached the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. “Section 14(2)(3) of the same Act stipulates conditions for granting requests for private information, but these have not been met by SERAP’s application. However, Oluwadare said freedom of information was a fundamental right, adding that contents of asset declarations by presidents and governors do not amount to private information, as they are public officers under Part II, fifth schedule of the 1999 Constitution.

Source: The Guardian June 19, 2019 06:00 UTC