Date: 2011-06-20

The Code of Conduct Bureau has directed new political office holders in Kwara to submit their assets declaration forms within 30 days to avoid prosecution.
The state Director of the Bureau, Mr Joseph Olajide Adeoye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Saturdathat political office holders must respect the law on asset declaration in their own interest.
According to him, a special committee from the bureau's headquarters in Abuja is expected in Ilorin between July 5 and July 8 to verify assets declared by such persons.
The director said the committee would screen every asset declared to ascertain the authenticity of the documents.
He stated that many defaulters in Kwara were currently being tried by the agency and more than150 staff of Kwara State polytechnic had been prosecuted at the tribunal.
``Political office holders and other public officers are cooperating with us. It was only Kwara State Polytechnic lecturers that were dragged before the tribunal three years ago for failing to declare their assets.
``They were subsequently fined N4.8 million after being found guilty with each of them paying the sum of N30, 000," he said.
Adeoye said some politicians in the state were tried in the last eight years and stressed that his administration would not treat anyone as sacred cow.