The Senate on Wednesday recommended a five-year jail term for false whistle blowers or N10m fine against persons who raise false alarm on hidden loot
The Senate on Wednesday recommended a five-year jail term for false whistle blowers or N10m fine against persons who raise false alarm on hidden loot when it passed the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill. The upper chamber of the National Assembly also approved that five per cent of loot recovered as a result of information from a whistle blower be given to the informant, as currently being practised by the Federal Government.
The passage of the bill, which was sponsored by the Deputy Minority Whip, Abiodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti-South), followed the consideration and adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. The panel said the bill was to build a legal framework for whistle-blowing as part of the anti-corruption campaigns of the current administration.
The report said, “First, it seeks to encourage and facilitate disclosures of improper conduct by persons, public officers and corporate bodies both private and public sectors. Second, it ensures that matters disclosed are properly investigated and handled appropriately in accordance with the law. Third, the bill seeks to ensure adequate protection for the whistle blowers from reprisals, victimisations, job losses, isolation, humiliation, which are some of the consequences for whistle-blowing.
“Fourth, this legal framework also contemplates financial reward for any disclosure that leads to discovery and recovery of funds, properties, e.t.c, to serve as incentive for potential whistle blowers. On the whole, this mechanism is a recognised concept, which has been adopted by many countries in the world and it has helped in the fight against corruption.”
Punch
