The House of Representatives has introduced a bill aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption by encouraging whistleblowers to expose corrupt activities, particularly within the public sector.
The bill, which proposes a penalty of N2 million or two years imprisonment for revealing confidential information given by a whistleblower, is set to be debated when lawmakers resume plenary next week.
First presented to the House on November 21, 2024, the Whistleblowing Bill seeks “a legal and institutional framework for the regulation and management of whistleblowing and the protection of whistleblowers” in Nigeria.
According to a copy of the bill, which was sponsored by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, the proposed legislation intends to foster and ease the disclosure of illegal activities that affect the management of both public and private offices, as well as national security.
The bill also aims to protect whistleblowers from retaliation or other negative outcomes, ensuring that information or disclosures from whistleblowers are “properly assessed, investigated and acted upon” and establishing an appropriate framework to reward them.
Rotimi explained that the law would apply to whistleblowers in relation to unlawful activities or offenses under any legislation concerning terrorism, money-laundering prevention, and prohibition.
Part two of the bill, which was exclusively obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, provides for the creation of the National Office and National Council for the protection of whistleblowers.
As the House prepares to reconvene for plenary on January 14, 2025, the bill is expected to undergo further legislative consideration.
