The Senate has given a legal teeth to the Whistle-blower policy of the federal government, having passed a bill that seeks to encourage and facilitate the disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies.
The bill was presented by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator David Umaru, a member representing Niger East in the 8th National Assembly.
The bill also seeks to ensure that persons who make disclosures and persons who may suffer reprisals in relation to such disclosures are protected under the law.
It specifies who is qualified to make disclosure of improper conduct; the procedure for making disclosures; and the protection due to the ‘whistleblowers.’
According to the newly passed Bill, a person who makes a disclosure shall not be subject to victimization by his or her employers or by fellow employees.
In addition, a person who makes a disclosure has the right to take legal action if he or she is victimised, dismissed, suspended, declared redundant, transferred against his or her will, harassed or intimidated in any manner.
Speaking on the passage of the nill, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki described it as a landmark piece of legislation.
“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.
“This Bill will protect the lives of those who risk themselves to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.”
With the passage of this Bill, the Senate has concluded work on three anti-corruption Bills.
In May 2017, it passed the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, while in June 2017, it passed the Witness Protection Bill.
The Bill to establish Special Anti-Corruption Courts has been sent to the Constitution Amendment Committee. while the Proceeds of Crime Bill has been sent to the Senate Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption and Judiciary.[myad]
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