Senate Passes Whistleblower Bill, Okays 5yr Jail Term For Fake Blowers

The Nigerian Senate has, on Wednesday, passed the Whistle Blower Protection Bill, another one of anti-corruption bills.

This Bill, amongst other things, seeks to encourage and facilitate the disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies.

It also ensures that people who make disclosures and persons who may suffer reprisals in relation to such disclosures are protected under the law.

The law will also esure that people who make disclosures shall not be subject to victimization by their employers or by fellow employees.

Moreover, it will protect the lives of those who risk themselves to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.

In the words of the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, “the Senate will continue to remain committed to the Anti-Corruption fight of this administration.”

The Senate, however, approved at least five years imprisonment for anybody‎ guilty of false whistle blower or ten million naira fine.

Also, the Upper Chamber concurred with five percent reward to whistle blower on the money recovered in line with the Government’s current policy on whistleblowing.

The bill which the report was considered and approved in the Senate was sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi. 

The bill was read the first time on March 15, 2016.

The Senate during its plenary session on October 19th, deliberated on the general principle of the bill. 

After exhaustive debate on the bill it was passed into second reading and passed to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Matters for further legislative action.

The passage of the bill into law would encourage and facilitate disclosure of improper conduct by persons, public officers and corporate bodies both private and public.

The bill when becomes law would ensure adequate protection for the whistle blowers from reprisals, victimisation, job loses, isolation, humiliation, which are some of the consequences for whistle blowing.

The senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Right and legal matters chaired by Senator David Umaru received memoranda on the bill from Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Prison Service, National Human Right Commission, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and Civil Society Organisations.

The findings of the committee showed that the stakeholders unanimously supported the passage of the bill as it will give more impetus to fight against corruption.

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