CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS

Corruption among the public office holders in Nigeria has become an order of the day; Nigeria is one of the most corrupt Nations in the world despite the provision of the code of conduct for public office holders in Nigeria in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

The corporate image of the country has been greatly eroded with Nigeria being rated by transparency international as one of the corrupt countries in the world.

The fifth schedule of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria made provision for code of conduct for every public office holders in Nigeria as thus;

A public office holder shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities....... 

Who is a public officer in Nigeria?

The President, Governors of states, members of the National Assembly, vice presidents, deputy governors, government ministers ,chief justice if Nigeria, inspector general of police to mention a few

 If the constitution provides for code of conduct for public office holders, how come our public office holders violates the provision and are never punished.

Has any public office holders past and serving been punished for violation of this provision?

Yes, but very few or rather only those who are in the bad book of the serving administration.

The bureau of code of conduct for public office holders should be given independent power to try corrupt officers without interference by the executive and legislative arms of government.

Honesty, accountability, discipline, loyalty to the people that elected you, punctuality and absenteeism has become history in our public officers.

In respect of the foregoing N225 million Armour cars procurement by the civil aviation authority, i hereby urge the three man committee set up by the president to investigate and do all they could to get to the root of the matter in the interest of justice and fair play in that failure to do so will continue to send wrong signals to the citizens and the international communities. Without judging with the evidence made public and already corroborated, there’s misappropriation of public funds and the general public are waiting for the outcome of the foregoing.

My submission, ministries and other government agencies are urged to institute clearly in built incentives for fostering good behaviors in offices and also make provision for appropriate punishment that is as grave as capital punishment for any public officer that falls short of the code of conduct required of him, this will not only deter them from looting public funds for personal use but will also ensure good governance among them. And most importantly the 1999 constitution should be reviewed.

Thank you.

Oyenike Alliyu-Adebiyi LLB(hons)Bl