Amid growing concerns over the recurring punitive measures against patriotic Nigerians who voluntarily expose corrupt individuals, stakeholders have demanded increased protection for whistleblowers to promote the reporting of corrupt practices and tackle corruption in the country.
They made the plea yesterday in Abuja at the policy roundtable with the theme: ‘Towards a Whistleblower Protection Law in Nigeria’, organised by the African Center for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG); Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and other partners.
Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Dr Chido Onumah, expressed concern that instead of encouraging whistleblowers’ involvement in the fight against corruption, they often face hindrance from those whose interests they threaten without protection.
He noted that in Nigeria, whistleblowers lack a safe and enabling legal environment that allows them to report wrongdoing without fear of reprisals.
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“There is the absence of effective access to information laws that would enable citizens to obtain information held by public institutions and empower them to hold powerful individuals and entities accountable.
“The lack of effective and independent judicial institutions capable of providing access to justice and effective remedies for human rights violations exacerbates the situation,” Onumah said.
He said despite efforts to enact a whistleblower protection law in Nigeria since the introduction of the Whistleblowing Policy by the federal government in December 2016, success has remained elusive.
The Africa Director of MacArthur Foundation Nigeria, Dr Kole Shettima, expressed belief in the value of whistleblowing as a tool in the fight against corruption.
He acknowledged the challenges and setbacks faced by whistleblowers, particularly in terms of legal protection.
“The importance of ensuring the safety and protection of individuals who engage in whistleblowing activities is a collective concern,” Shettima said.
