By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria has approved a policy that offers protection for anyone who blew whistle on corruption acts as well as reward whistle blowers with 5% of funds recovered through credible information they offer.
“If you whistle blow in public spirit and in good faith, you will be protected….so whistle blowers whose revelations lead to recovery of money will be entitled to as much as 5 per cent of the recovered sum,” finance minister Kemi Adeosun told reporters in the capital city Abuja.
The minister said the policy was adopted at the country's weekly cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari whose administration has made fighting corruption a cornerstone of the government.
The policy is a stopgap measure until the parliament passes a bill to protect whistle blowers, according to the minister.
She said the policy is targeted at encouraging people with credible information about stolen funds to volunteer it to government. She said the government will soon launch a portal containing contact numbers for citizens to volunteer information.
“If you have suffered harassment, intimidation or victimisation for sharing your concerns, restitution will be made for any loss suffered,” she added.
Buhari has since his inauguration last year launched a fierce anti-corruption crusade that has seen several top formal government officials put on trial. Top army generals and politicians are also being tried for corruption. In September, the government said bank accounts worth at least $9bn of stolen funds have been frozen while over $3m have been recovered.