Why civil servants are barred from operating private businesses, foreign accounts
Why civil servants are barred from operating private businesses, foreign accounts
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)
has given the reasons behind the law forbidden public servants from
combining government work with private business and operating foreign accounts.
The CCB Chairman, Dr Abubakar Bello, who gave the explanation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja said public service is a sacred trust that must not be compromised.
“When a civil servant runs a business alongside official duties, questions naturally arise about commitment and integrity.
“Are you spending your time doing your work? Or are you spending your time conducting private business?” he asked.
Bello further clarified that, being a director in a company, operating a business account, or being a signatory to such an account, clearly indicate business involvement and therefore constitute a breach.
The CCB Chairman also warned that public servants are prohibited from operating foreign accounts.
“One of the reasons why we have that is that, some public servants will steal money from the government and then take it abroad.
“We have seen so many cases of public servants stashing money away.
“So any public servant that has a foreign bank account is supposed to close that account, stop operating it, until after he has finished his public service,” he said.
Beyond business activities, the CCB boss also raised concern about the growing abuse of gift-giving involving public servants.
He warned that gifts from government contractors are strictly prohibited.
Bello said certain category of public servants – the president, the vice president, the governors, the justices, the judges- are not allowed to be a public servant, once they leave their jobs
“”You are not allowed to work for any foreign government because you hold certain vital information.
“If you are working for a foreign organisation or foreign institutions, that might compromise the security and the interests of Nigeria,” he said.
The CCB Chairman, also raised concern about misuse of loans as a cover for bribery.
He said the law restricts certain categories of public servants to borrowing only from recognised financial institutions, where the legitimacy of the transaction can be verified.
He further highlighted the growing use of agents and nominees as a tactic to bypass anti-corruption rules.
“These agents may include spouses, children, relatives, or close friends, but the official remains culpable once it is established that they are the ultimate beneficiary of the illicit act,” he said
Additionally, the CCB Chairman noted that public servants are restricted from belonging to certain organisations.
“Membership in secret cults or any group whose activities conflict with the dignity, transparency, or integrity of public office is prohibited.
“Such affiliations can tarnish the image of the public service and constitute another violation of the Code of Conduct,” he said
To sensitise the people to the breaches, the CCB Chairman said the bureau has a designated department, though inhibited by funding.
Bello said, whenever he is invited to public functions, he always seized the opportunity to talk about CCB’s operations
In addition to encouraging MDAs to organise sensitisation programme for their staff members, Bello said the bureau is partnering with head of services of all the states to enlighten the workers.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the bureau to enforcing ethical standards in public service to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust.(NAN)
News
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
News
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
News
Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.
During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.
However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.
No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.
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