Section 3: Powers of the panel

(1) Where the panel is of opinion that it is appropriate so to do, the panel may-
(a) issue a notice to declare assets as in Form A in the Schedule to this Act to be served on any public officer together with a form of declaration of assets as in Form B in that Schedule, which the said officer so served shall complete and return to the penal within thirty days after receipt thereof, or within such extension of the period as may be approved by the panel;
(b) upon receipt of the said declaration of assets, thereafter direct any qualified person to check the statements in that declaration of assets and verify the accuracy of the statement of accounts therein.
(2) A notice to be served in accordance with paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section may be served on the person concerned directly and, without prejudice thereto, shall be deemed to have been served-
(a) by sending it by registered post to the last known address of the public officer; or
(b) by pasting such notice on the door of the premises of the last known address of the public officer; or
(c) by publication of the notice aforesaid in an issue of the Federal Gazette or of a newspaper having nationwide circulation.
(3) Any public officer-
(a) who, without reasonable excuse, refuses, or neglects to declare his assets in the manner prescribed in subsection (1) (a) of this section; or
(b) who makes a declaration of assets as required in that subsection which he knows to be false or which he makes without reasonable belief in its truth,
shall be guilty of an offence under this Act, and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years without the option of a fine; and any undeclared assets whether or not they are in his name or under his control, shall be forfeited to the Federal Government.
(4) Any person who makes a declaration in the circumstances outlined in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section, shall be deemed to have made it without belief in its truth or to have been reckless as to its truth or falsity unless he proves the contrary.
(5) Where the panel is satisfied that any person, not being a public officer, but related to, or otherwise connected with a public officer, appears to have acquired assets far in excess of any income from his known or ostensible means of livelihood, the provisions of this Act shall apply with necessary modifications in respect of such a person as they apply in respect of a public officer.