The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has emphasized the necessity for the National Assembly to create robust laws aimed at safeguarding whistleblowers while enhancing transparency in the combat against corruption in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the EFCC on Monday, Mr. Olukoyede made this appeal during a nationwide awareness program on the implementation of Nigeria's whistleblowing policy, which took place in Calabar, Cross River State.
Addressing the audience, Mr. Olukoyede highlighted the theme, “Benefits of the Whistleblowing Policy in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria.” He underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive legal framework designed to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and to eliminate bureaucratic hindrances that delay the disbursal of financial rewards promised by the policy.
“I reiterate that we need a robust Act from the National Assembly to protect those who risk their lives to expose corruption in this country,” he asserted.
The EFCC Chairman pointed out that among the countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), only a handful have implemented whistleblower protection laws. He remarked, “It is disheartening that in a region plagued by corruption, only Ghana and Senegal have enacted such protective legislation.”
Representing Mr. Olukoyede at the event was the acting Uyo Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander Oshodi Johnson. Mr. Johnson urged that the whistleblowing policy should inspire citizens to report corruption, primarily to safeguard public funds rather than solely seeking financial compensation.
“The appeal here is for citizens to prioritize whistleblowing to prevent the theft of public funds rather than focusing merely on recovery, as once funds are misappropriated, they might never be reclaimed,” he explained.
He also urged lawmakers to adopt provisions from the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), especially Article 33, which outlines protective measures for individuals who report corrupt practices.
Background:
Nigeria's whistleblowing policy was introduced in 2016 in an effort to encourage citizens to report corruption and financial misconduct. Under this policy, whistleblowers are entitled to recover between 2.5% to 5% of recovered funds. The initiative saw early success in 2017 when a tip led to the recovery of approximately $43 million in cash from a Lagos apartment.
However, there are concerns that the policy lacks a solid legal support system to adequately protect whistleblowers from potential retaliation.
PREMIUM TIMES has previously reported that whistleblowers in Nigeria, along with their counterparts in 13 other West African nations, face severe dangers, including harassment, job loss, and even death due to the absence of effective legal protections.
Chido Onumah, the coordinator of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), labeled whistleblowers as an “endangered species” in this context, noting their critical role in combating corruption. He warned of the various forms of retaliation that whistleblowers endure, which range from stigmatisation and discrimination to employment termination, criminal penalties, and threats to their lives.
Of the 15 members of ECOWAS, only Ghana has successfully implemented a law to shield whistleblowers. The other member states, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, either lack sufficient regulations or have no laws in place to ensure the protection of whistleblowers.
Despite many of these countries having signed the UNCAC, the lack of urgent legal provisions has resulted in significant harm to individuals who take the bold step of reporting corruption.
Onumah pointed out that while there is recognition of the need for such laws, without commitment to enactment, individuals remain vulnerable.
In Nigeria, many whistleblowers report that they often experience job termination or harassment after exposing corrupt practices, thus underscoring the critical need for effective legal safeguards to promote accountability and integrity in public life.
Recently, AFRICMIL raised alarms regarding threats facing whistleblowers, notably involving the case of Yisa Usman, a former deputy director at JAMB, who faced severe reprisals after revealing procurement irregularities.
In a statement, AFRICMIL reiterated its call for a protective law, especially after Usman was recognized internationally for his courage in whistleblowing. Usman, who couldn't attend the award ceremony due to fears for his safety, is a testament to the pressing need for legal reforms in Nigeria to protect those who speak out against wrongdoing.
Participants at the EFCC event included representatives from anti-corruption agencies, legislators, law enforcement bodies, and various stakeholders immersed in Nigeria’s anti-corruption battle.
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