The Code Of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has explained that the Bureau cannot disclose the asset form of citizens as it runs contrary to the law which guarantees and protects the privacy of every individual.
The CCB argued on that section 37 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees and protects the privacy of citizens, their correspondence and telegraphic communications amongst others.
The Bureau came out with this while responding to a request by Barr Benedict Ezeagu, the national coordinator, SNG, on the freedom of Information request on the declaration of properties, assets and liabilities of some public officers.
an official, of the Bureau, Ijeanuli Arinze on behalf of the Chairman ,said that section 1(1),3 and 4 of the Freedom of information Act 2011 guarantees the right of a person to access or request information whether or not in written form, in the custody of any public agency.
Arinze pointed out that by virtue of sections 12(1)(a)(v), 14(1)(b) and 15(1)(a) of the same act, the Bureau is not under any obligation to grant any requests which constitutes invasion of personal privacy.
Assests declaration by public officers, she maintained contain such personal information which falls within the exemptions to the disclosure of Information in the FOIA.
‘Furthermore this can be found in Paragraph 3 of the third schedule, part 1 of the constitution,
She noted.”
