By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja 

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), along with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called for the urgent passage of a robust whistleblower protection law in Nigeria.

They spoke at a ceremony marking the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja on Thursday, themed ‘Effective Whistleblower Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption.’

The event was organised by the Inter-Agency Task Team on Anti-Corruption, which comprises various government agencies and civil society organisations.

Fagbemi emphasised the need for a legal framework to safeguard whistleblowers’ anonymity, safety, and rights. 

He stressed that a strong whistleblower law would boost the fight against corruption and promote accountability.

Fagbemi said, “Nigeria has a Whistleblowing Policy, 2016, that encourages people to voluntarily disclose information about any form of corruption or theft. The policy goes a step further by providing rewards for whistleblowers.

“However, we must collaborate with the Legislature to ensure that this law is passed. Whistleblowing is a key tool to detect corruption and other forms of wrongdoing.

“Instead of admitting to corruption and mending their ways, persons implicated in corruption can choose to attack or retaliate. In view of this, whistleblower protection is crucial for the success of anti-corruption detection and enforcement and should be a key aspect of any whistleblowing system.”

ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu cited the Supreme Court’s validation of the ICPC’s powers to protect whistleblowers.

He highlighted the successes of the whistleblower policy, including the recovery of looted funds, and urged lawmakers to prioritise the bill’s passage.

Aliyu stated, “Section 64 of the ICPC Act 2000 mandates ICPC to protect whistleblowers, and the Act has been validated by the Supreme Court.

“ICPC is steadfast in its commitment to protecting whistleblowers. It will continue to do so because whistleblowers, with their unwavering courage and invaluable contributions, play a crucial role in our fight against corruption.

“Their actions are a beacon of hope in our battle against this societal menace. As we reflect on the root causes of corruption and its devastating impact on our society, we must ask ourselves: Can we afford not to join forces to combat this disastrous crime?

“The answer is clear: only through collaboration and effective partnerships can we achieve sustainable success in this fight.”

In his presentation, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasised the importance of a legal backbone for whistleblower protection. 

He noted that a robust whistleblower law would encourage citizens to report corruption, strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight. He urged civil society organisations to support the bill’s passage.

The EFCC boss stated, “The fight against corruption has become more compelling owing to its increasing threat to individual, corporate, and national growth and development.

“Apart from terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world. In view of the danger and threat to our existence that corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies, and indeed the whole world join hands together to tackle it frontally.

“One way of doing this is through the whistleblowing initiative. Drawing from the theme of 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day, I enjoin Nigerians to show commitment by fully embracing the demands of the government’s whistleblowing policy.

“We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outbursts, or mere mob campaigns. There is a need for commitment, passion, consistency, and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”

Other speakers at the event included representatives from various anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, and international partners. 

They discussed strategies for enhancing whistleblower protection, the role of technology in combating corruption, and the importance of public awareness and education in fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

Mrs. Jane Onwumere, Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), highlighted the importance of whistleblowers in the fight against corruption and the need for effective protection mechanisms. 

She noted that Nigeria has yet to pass a whistleblower protection law, despite adopting a whistleblower policy in 2016.

Additionally, Dr. Dauda Garuba, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), emphasised the crucial role of whistleblowers in the fight against corruption and the importance of protecting them. 

He highlighted the negative impact of corruption on democracy, development, and economic growth in Africa. He also stressed the need for robust whistleblower mechanisms, effective frameworks, and inter-agency cooperation to combat corruption.

Meanwhile, the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, launched the Third Corruption Survey Report in Nigeria. He highlighted the significance of the survey, which coincides with African Union Anti-Corruption Day 2024.

The survey, conducted in collaboration with the UNODC and supported by the MacArthur Foundation and the Kingdom of Denmark, provides evidence-based data on corruption trends and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. Key findings include:

“34% of citizens have paid or been asked to pay a bribe when encountering public officials.

“A notable increase in bribery reporting, from 3.6% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2023; 65% of bribery cases were reported to the police and 28% to anti-corruption agencies.

“A significant increase in actions taken as a consequence of reporting, with 45% of cases leading to formal procedures against the offender.”