FG promises protection, reward for whistleblowers

Nigeria’s minister of Information Lai Mohammed AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to protect and reward whistleblowers who provide information that leads to the recovery of stolen funds or assets.


Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who said this in a statement issued on Sunday, noted that the Federal Government will protect the identity of all whistle-blowers, whether in the public or the private sector, and also ensure that the information they provide is kept secret.


He said, “for those who may have suffered any backlash as a result of the information they provide, their cases will be reviewed and appropriate mitigating actions taken.”



Alhaji Mohammed said the assurance followed the presentations made to the Presidential Assets Recovery Committee by concerned citizens and groups about the safety of whistle-blowers.

 

 “Whistleblowers have nothing to fear because the committee has put in place the necessary measures to safeguard those who give useful information. As a matter of fact, whistle-blowers have everything to gain and nothing to lose,” he said.


The Minister said any whistle-blower whose information leads to the recovery of up to 1 billion Naira will receive 5% of the amount; that the reward for any amount between 1 and 5 billion Naira will be 5% for the first 1 billion Naira and 4% of the remaining 4 billion Naira, and that any amount over 5 billion Naira will attract 2.5% reward.


“For example, if a whistle-blower provides information leading to the recovery of 10 billion Naira, he or she will receive 5% of the first 1billion Naira, 4% of the next 4 billion Naira and 2.5% of the remaining 5 billion Naira.


“What we have done by making this information public is to reassure potential whistle-blowers that the plan to reward is real.


“We are not just saying we will pay all whistle-blowers, but we are letting them know in advance what they are entitled to, once the information they provide leads to the recovery of looted funds,” he said.