A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has asked the federal government to protect whistleblowers in Kano state.
In a statement on Monday, the coalition made up of six CSOs said Jafaar Jafaar, publisher of Daily Nigerian, an online news platform, had received threatening messages since he published a series of videos showing Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano governor, allegedly collecting bribe from a contractor.
The coalition said Jafaar and the contractor were being victimised contrary to the policy of the government on whistleblowing.
“Late in 2018, a media outfit, Daily Nigerian published by Jafaar Jafaar released a startling video showing the governor of Kano state Mr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje receiving what seemed like dollar currencies in bundles from an individual,” they said.
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“The online medium described the video as showing bribe payment to the governor from a contractor handling construction works in the state.
“Like every Nigerian organisation that has enthusiastically keyed into the current administration’s overt focus on anti-corruption, and done their bit to criminalize and combat corruption, we keenly anticipated the response of the government and its anti-corruption agencies to this all too important test case.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we had expected that the government would consider this an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against corruption through condemning and prosecuting this high profile malfeasance as a clear warning that the Buhari administration is serious and decisive in dealing with corruption no matter the persons involved.
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“We regret to announce that what has actually happened since the video went public, is the exact opposite. The Kano state governor through his lawyer advanced to sue Daily Nigerian and Mr. Jafaar Jafaar claiming N3billion in damages, also demanding in the suit that the court compels Mr. Jafaar Jafaar and Daily Nigeria to write and broadcast a public apology to the governor.
“More recently, the Kano State government has advanced to revoke at least three contracts previously awarded to a company believed to be owned by the contractor who produced the secret recording of the governor receiving bribes.
“We say without equivocation that the manner this affair is being handled is a grave disincentive for fighting corruption. It should not be seen that the fight against corruption can be sacrificed in preference of political expediency. This will be a death blow for the country and those of us who have willingly supported this fight.
“We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to step up and champion this cause which Mr. Jafaar has very nobly began. It is important that he is given every support needed to ensure that he is not victimized.
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“We call on the federal government to extend the protection and support which its Whistle Blower Policy promises to Mr. Jafaar and the contractor. These persons are currently being victimized for doing the right thing. The government has the responsibility of demonstrating to the country and the world that it is truly poised to fight corruption.”
Those who signed the statement are Kate Henshaw, Centre for Social Studies and Development; Prince Ekpere, Social Action; Kabiru Dakata, Center for Awareness on Justice and Accountability; Uduak Okon, Youth Alive Foundation; Faith Ayagbe, Youth Anti-Corruption Network; and Collins Nyung, Center for Development Support Initiative.
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