Nigerian government to give 5 percent of recovered loot to whistleblowers

In an innovative move to encourage whistleblowing and to protect whistleblowers, the federal government has adopted a set of policies. One such policy is to offer 5 percent of recovered loot to whistleblowers in the country.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun revealed this at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

According to her, the new policy was reportedly developed by the Ministries of finance and Justice. It is however subject to debate and approval by the National Assembly.

The Policy will protect whistleblowers, provide whistleblowing mechanisms, & provide a reward mechanism and it is not only targeted at public servants but also private sector workers. The Policy is also targeted at strengthening the government’s anti-corruption fight.

According to the new policy, at least 5 Percent of the recovered loot will be awarded to the whistle blowers. The whistleblowing policy is also designed to check fraud in both public and private sectors.

Adeosun said the policy is to encourage anyone with information about a violation, misconduct or improper activity that impacts negatively on Nigerians and government to report it.

She said the policy was aimed at:

1. increasing exposure of financial or financial related crimes;
2. supporting the fight against financial crimes and corruption;

iii. improving level of public confidence in public entities;

1. enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of public funds;
2. improving Nigeria’s Open Government Ranking and Ease of Doing Business Indicators; and,
3. recovering public funds that can be deployed to finance Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit.

According to her, information that can be submitted include:

1. mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets (e.g. properties and vehicles);
2. financial malpractice or fraud;
3. collecting/ soliciting bribes;
4. corruption; diversion of revenues;
5. fraudulent and unapproved payments;
6. splitting of contracts;
7. procurement fraud (kickbacks and over-invoicing etc.)

She said a whistle-blower is any person who voluntarily discloses information in good faith about a possible misconduct or violation that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur.

The minister, who noted that there was a secure online portal where information could be submitted, said:

“If you have already submitted your information, you can also check the status of your report on the portal.”

Noting that the policy does not apply to personal matters concerning private contracts or agreements, she said whistleblowers could submit their information through the online portal by e-mail or by phone.

On whether a whistleblower is entitled to a financial reward, she responded:

“It depends.

“If there is a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistleblower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5% (minimum) and 5.0% (maximum) of the total amount recovered.

“You must have provided the government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the Government.”

Asked if there is protection from false or malicious claims, she said:

“Yes. A first level review will always be carried out to determine credibility and sufficiency of information received.  “If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution.”

Adeosun said the government will set up a website and provide a phone number and email for people to use and assured that anonymity will be guaranteed.

Adeosun also said that Federal Government had begun payment of December salaries to enable civil servants to celebrate the Christmas and New Year.