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THE out-going Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State seems to have more worries to grapple with as the Code of Conduct Bureau Monday stormed the state for verification of his assets and those of other principal officials that served in the administration.

Those who would also have their assets verified are his deputy, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, Scretary to the State government, Chief Olayiwola Lakojo, Special Advisers and commissioners.

Speaking with newsmen over the exercise, Dr. Ademola Adebo, a federal commissioner with the bureau, said he would still visit other South West states including Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti States.

He explained that the verification exercise embarked upon by the bureau was informed by the need to checkmate corruption which had eaten deep into the fabric of the country.

Adebo said, “Corruption in Nigeria has become a rampaging Tsunami, destroying infrastructures; denying us good education and health facilities. It is of utmost important that we come together in a concerted effort to combat it”.

According to him, the bureau is the only anti-corruption agency saddled with the responsibility of receiving and carrying out comprehensive investigation of the particulars of declarations and enforce compliance with the code of conduct for public officers listed in the constitution.

Any of the public officals found culpable, he noted, faced the risk of being removed from office or forfeiting his assets.

He said, “A conviction can lead to removal from office, forfeiture of  property acquired in breach of the law, a ban from holding public office for at least 10 years, or any other punishment as may be decided by the judge. Where a public officer fails to comply with any aspect of the codes, Code of Conduct bureau can prosecute such defaulter”.

Akala confirmed the verification exercise through his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade. He said it was a daily routine adding that when they came into office, they were given forms to fill and when they were going, they were given another.

He stressed further that when the Governor elect, senator Abiola Ajimobi assumed power, he and other people to serve in the administration would be made to go through the same process.

He added that the Income and Assets Declaration System is one of the potent statutory tools the constitution empowers the CCB to deploy in the fight against corruption.