The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has explained why Nigerian law forbids public servants from combining government work with private business and from operating foreign bank accounts.
In an interview on Sunday in Abuja, the CCB Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Bello, said public service is a sacred trust that must not be compromised by personal interests.
Bello said when a civil servant runs a business alongside official duties, questions naturally arise about commitment and integrity.
“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 said.
He explained that being a director in a company, operating a business account, or serving as a signatory to such an account clearly shows business involvement and constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct.
The CCB Chairman also warned that public servants are prohibited from operating foreign bank accounts, explaining that the restriction is necessary because some public officers steal public funds and move the money abroad.
“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,” he said.
He added that any public servant with a foreign bank account is expected to close it and stop operating it until after leaving public service.
Beyond business activities, Bello raised concerns about the growing abuse of gift-giving involving public servants. He warned that gifts from government contractors are strictly prohibited, as they can influence decisions and compromise fairness in public service.
Bello also explained that certain categories of public servants, including the president, vice president, governors, justices and judges, face restrictions even after leaving office.
“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 institution, that might compromise the security and the interests of Nigeria,” he said.
The CCB Chairman further raised concerns about the misuse of loans as a cover for bribery, noting that the law restricts certain categories of public servants to borrowing only from recognised financial institutions where transactions can be verified and traced.
Bello also highlighted the growing use of agents and nominees to bypass anti-corruption rules, explaining that officials sometimes use spouses, children, relatives or close friends to carry out illegal acts on their behalf.
“Although these agents may include spouses, children, relatives or close friends, the official remains culpable once it is established that they are the ultimate beneficiary of the illicit act,” he said.
Additionally, Bello noted that public servants are restricted from belonging to certain organisations, adding that membership of secret cults or groups 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.
On public awareness, Bello said the CCB has a designated department for sensitisation, although it is constrained by limited funding. He added that whenever he is invited to public functions, he uses the opportunity to speak about the bureau’s operations.
He said the bureau encourages MDAs to organise sensitisation programmes for their staff and is also partnering with heads of service across states to enlighten workers. Bello reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to enforcing ethical standards in public service to promote transparency, accountability and public trust.