FG confirms first payments to Whistleblowers
*As beneficiaries get N375.8m for helping recover N11.635b
*Payments Govt obligations to information providers – Adeosun
By Florence Israel, Abuja
The Federal Government has confirmed the release of N375.8 million to the first batch of 20 providers of information under the Whistleblower Policy.
Disclosing this was the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who said the payment of the various amounts totaling N375,875,000 relate to the recovery of N11,635,000,000.
She said, “This payment, which is the first under the Whistleblower Policy, underscores the commitment of the President Muhmmadu Buhari-led administration in meeting obligations to information providers under the Whistleblower Policy. The policy is an essential tool in the fight against Corruption.”
She further disclosed the recent amendments to the Whistleblower Policy which includes the introduction of a formal legal agreement, executed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, between information providers and the Federal Government.
She added that, “Procedures have also been introduced to ensure the protection of the identity of information providers during the payment process.”
The Minister explained that all payments were taxable and were only made upon confirmation of the final recovery of assets as confirmed by the Attorney-General of the Federation as being free of legal disputes or litigation.
Mrs Kemi Adeosun also gave details of the Whistleblower Unit (WBU), a multi-agency team, which she said was resident in Ministry of Finance Headquarters.
“It is staffed by secondees from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), among others.
“The Whistleblower Unit is the first line of response to whistleblower information, where initial review is undertaken before cases are forwarded to the relevant investigative agencies,” Mrs. Adeosun said.
It could be recalled that the Ministry of Finance had reported that following the approval of the Whistleblowers Policy by the Federal Executive Council and its launch by the Minister of Finance in December 2016, the Whistleblowers Unit received 2,150 communications and 337 tips through its dedicated channels from many patriotic Nigerians, which led to the recovery of substantial assets that were illegally acquired by various individuals.
The primary purpose of the Policy, it was gathered, is to support the fight against financial crimes and corruption, promote accountability and enhance transparency in the management of public finances.
Mrs Adeosun assured that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to encourage all Nigerians with information on misconduct, violation or improper activity which could impact negatively on Nigeria to report same to the appropriate authority.
