The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has charged newly recruited officers to reject bribes, protect confidential information and uphold integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The CCB Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Bello, gave the warning on Monday at the closing ceremony of a four-week basic investigation and enforcement training programme for newly recruited officers in Abuja.
The programme was held at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Academy in Karu as part of a collaboration between the two anti-corruption agencies.
Bello described the training as a landmark partnership, saying it was the first time the CCB had sent a full batch of newly recruited officers to the EFCC Academy.
He said the officers had acquired skills needed to investigate, examine and enforce the Code of Conduct.
The chairman, however, told the graduates that integrity must remain at the centre of their responsibilities.
“Graduation is not the end of training. It is the beginning of responsibility,” Bello said.
He reminded the officers that they would handle asset declarations, support verification exercises and participate in investigations involving public officials with significant wealth, power and connections.
He warned them that some people might attempt to compromise them through intimidation or financial inducements.
Bello also urged the officers to protect the confidentiality of asset declarations and other sensitive information in their custody, warning against unauthorised disclosure.
He said the bureau would ensure that the officers were properly posted, mentored and supervised to justify the investment in their training.
The EFCC Executive Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the programme demonstrated the growing cooperation among Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.
According to him, stronger collaboration, particularly in training, would improve the agencies’ operational effectiveness.
Olukoyede said the newly trained officers were expected to demonstrate greater zeal in enforcement and stronger commitment to corruption prevention.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by the ministry’s Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Haruna Suleiman, said the CCB played a critical role in Nigeria’s governance architecture.
He said the bureau’s constitutional mandate to promote high standards of conduct in public office was fundamental to transparency, accountability and public trust.
Idris said the fight against corruption could not be won through enforcement alone, adding that prevention, ethical leadership, public enlightenment and strong institutions were also necessary.
The minister urged the officers to apply their training through professional conduct and effective performance.
Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, also urged the graduates to remain committed to their duties.
Oyedepo warned them against pressure to compromise and said Nigeria needed strong institutions and public officials who would demonstrate professionalism, integrity and courage.
The ceremony marked the completion of the four-week investigation and enforcement training programme for the newly recruited CCB officers.
