Senate passes bill to protect whistleblowers

The senate on Wednesday passed the whistleblower protection bill to guard against victimisation and loss of jobs.

The bill also provides incentives for whistleblowers by providing for financial rewards.

The passage of the bill was a sequel to the consideration of a report moved by David Umaru, senate committee chairman on the judiciary, human rights and legal matters.

Highlights of the bill include providing for liability of those who execute a search warrant, providing protection for whistleblowers and encouraging public officers in both private and public organisations to disclose corrupt acts.

The bill also provides a punishment of not less than five years in jail or N10 million fine as punishment for those who give wrong information.

Speaking at the presentation of the report on the floor of the senate, Umaru said the legislation would make sure that disclosures are properly investigated.

“Clause 13 deals with powers to enter premises, the committee substituted the words ‘chief commissioner’ with ‘investigator’ because the chief commission is restricted to administrative investigation,” he said.

“Clause 15 deals with execution of warrant. We amended this by providing for section four. It provides for liability of persons executing such warrant. Clause 18 deals with protection of whistleblower. It was amended to holistically address the clause.

“Clause 34 deals with establishment of disclosure. What is given to a whistleblower is stipulated. What is proposed is in line with the government. Clause 45 deals with penalty. Provides stringent punishment of less than five years or a fine of N10 million.

“The bill seeks adequate protection of the whistleblowers from reprisals, victimisation, job losses and humiliation which are some of the consequences of whistle blowing.”

Speaking after its passage, Bukola Saraki, senate president, said the bill would protect patriotic Nigerians fighting corruption.

“This is a promise kept. Today, we have passed a landmark piece of legislation to fight corruption and protect patriotic Nigerians who are fighting corruption,” Saraki said.

“This bill will protect the lives of those who risk themselves to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.”

On May 8, Murtala Ibrahim, an auditor with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), was sacked after exposing a doctored financial report.