Whistleblowers face continued victimization and prosecution due to lack of protection law – Report

A new report has found that victimization and prosecution continues due to the absence of a legal framework to protect whistleblowers who expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.

Despite the federal government’s Whistleblower Policy launched in 2016, which aims to encourage the disclosure of corruption and abuses, the absence of relevant legislation has left whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation.

The report, titled ‘Strengthening the Policy Influence of Civilian Actors in Nigeria: The Case of the Nigerian Programme’, was published by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) and unveiled in Abuja. It highlights how the absence of a whistleblower protection law undermines anti-corruption efforts by exposing whistleblowers to victimization.

The launch event, co-organized by the joinbodi Cohort (a coalition of anti-corruption NGOs) that received a grant from the On Nigeria Program supported by the MacArthur Foundation, featured a policy dialogue that provided a platform for stakeholders to consider the policy changes that have affected the last eight years. We have implemented grant projects in Nigeria for years. Policy dialogue between state and non-state actors sought to identify key policy recommendations that should be implemented by policymakers. And he recommended pressing for the swift enactment of the whistleblowing policy to boost the fight against corruption.

To further support anti-corruption efforts, the report recommended that the government ensure the effective implementation of audit laws necessary to maintain accountability and transparency.

The report also recommended increased advocacy to ensure legislative autonomy at the sub-national level, as well as a Legal framework for monitoring constituency projects.

He emphasized that the National Institute for Legislative Studies should begin discussions with legislators to include the issue in their legislative agenda.

Since 2015, civil society organizations and policy actors within the Joinbodi Cohort of the Ten Nigeria Program have been partnering to address the impacts and issues of corruption, impunity and lack of accountability on access to and quality of public services, good governance and well-being of Nigerians.

Cohort members have implemented a variety of initiatives that influence policy implementation to limit the cost of corruption in Nigeria, improve data accessibility, improve the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and strengthen transparency and accountability.

Speaking at the dialogue, PLSI Executive Director Olusegun Elemo noted: “While significant progress has been made in influencing policy changes, sustaining these changes will require continued investment in strengthening capacity and promoting strategic cooperation for actors on the supply and demand sides. Financing constraints affecting many parts of the country, political Mitigating governance against inhibiting factors such as lack of will and distrust.”

In addition, joinbodi Cohort members emphasized the need for whistleblower protection legislation, the legal framework for monitoring constituency projects, increased support for increased asset recovery, effective enforcement of audit laws and the need to prevent gender-based violence.

PLSI among joinbodi Cohort members; Agora Policy Foundation; Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC); BudgetIT Foundation; Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Center (CISLAC); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Socio-Economic Rights and Responsibility Project (SERAP) are some of them.