A group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has joined the fray of those calling for the investigation and possible prosecution of Nigerian public officials who were involved in the Panama Papers scandal.

SERAP urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate the Panama Papers revelations, noting that an opportunity has been presented for the Bureau to checkmate false asset declaration by public officials.

Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni gave the CCB 14 days to initiate the investigation into the scandal that has so far indicted public officials like: former Senate President David Mark, his successor, Bukola Saraki, and billionaire businessmen, Aliko Dangote, Theophilus Danjuma, among others.

“SERAP believes that the Panama Papers have shown the extent to which public officers in the country are concealing their stolen wealth in safe havens and secrecy jurisdictions.”

“This is contrary to the code of conduct for public officers, which prohibits them from maintaining and operating foreign accounts.”

“We request Mr Sam Saba, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau to use his good office and leadership to urgently investigate current and immediate past high-ranking public officers named in the Panama Papers.”

“They should also investigate others that are maintaining and operating or have maintained and operated foreign accounts in other safe havens and secrecy jurisdictions, and where appropriate, refer such to Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution.”

The group also urged the Bureau to use the opportunity to fight corruption and address the issue of false asset declaration.

“SERAP believes that bodies like the Code of Conduct Bureau should now seize the opportunity and use its mandate to react to this international scandal.”

“They should take concrete and proactive steps to address increasing breaches of constitutional provisions by high-ranking public officers.”

“This action will be entirely consistent with the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the law establishing the Bureau, and will meet demands by Nigerians for improvement in transparency regarding asset declarations and sanctions of public officers for breaches.”

“Effective asset declaration regime can play an important role in detecting illicit enrichment, preventing corruption and avoiding the kind of international embarrassment that the Panama Papers represent for Nigeria.”