The 8th Senate passed the Whistleblower Protection Bill, Today 19th July 2017. The Bill, which seeks to encourage and facilitate the disclosures of
improper conduct by public officers and public bodies was presented by
the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by
Senator David Umaru, the member representing Niger East in the 8th
National Assembly.
Otherwise known as “An Act to Protect Persons Making Disclosures for
the Public Interest and Others from Reprisals, to Provide for the
Matters Disclosed to be Properly Investigated and Dealt with and for
other Purposes Related Therewith”, 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.
The Bill also specifies who is qualified to make disclosure of
improper conduct; the procedure for making disclosures; and the
protection due to ‘whistleblowers.’ Under 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.
Additionally, a person who makes a disclosure has the right to take
legal action if he or she is victimized, dismissed, suspended, declared
redundant, transferred against his or her will, harassed or intimidated
in any manner.
Speaking on the passage of the Bill, the Senate President, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki stated that: “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,” he said, “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. The Proceeds of Crime Bill has
been sent to the Senate Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption and
Judiciary.