The Presidency, on Saturday, said it would be illegal for President Muhammadu Buhari to force government officials to declare their assets publicly.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in an interview.
Shehu was asked whether the president would take any action against his ministers and heads of agencies that have refused to declare their assets or whether he will compel them to do so as part of his anti-corruption drive.
The presidential spokesman said it was not a requirement of the law that officials declare their assets publicly.
He said if officials decided to publish their declaration of assets as the President and Vice-President did, it would be considered as purely a personal choice.
Shehu said, “The requirement of the law, as far as assets declaration is concerned, is that officials fill out the forms and submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau before they take office and when they leave.
“It is not a requirement of the law that presidents, governors or any such officials should make their (asset) declarations public.
“It then comes down to choice. If they chose to publish it as the President and the Vice President did, it will be considered as purely a personal choice.
“Since the law does not envisage any such public declaration, the administration will be acting outside the laws to force a public disclosure on any official.
“A reporter can go through the Freedom of Information Act to obtain information concerning any such declaration already made.” – Punch.
