The Federal Government (FG) has launched a new programme that is aimed at encouraging anyone in the possession of information to report it for investigation.
You can be a whistleblower for the government by providing useful information.
The whistleblowing programme came as an initiative from the Federal Ministry of Finance as a means of helping the nation get useful information about a couple of things that could draw the nation backwards.
Individuals are encouraged to provide useful information that entails violation of government financial regulations as well as procurement procedures, mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets, financial malpractice, fraud and theft of public assets.
The initiative aims at carrying Nigerians along and making them a part of the building process if the nation is to be wiped clean of the various forms of corruption that has plagued it. Also, the whistleblowing programme aims at finding anyone who can provide information on stolen or concealed public assets.
It also covers information on manipulation of data or records, solicitation or collection of bribes, undocumented expenditure, splitting of contracts, conflicts of interest, diversion, under-reporting, concealment and non-remittance of government revenues. The programme also wants information on any other form of corruption involving government funds and assets.
Find the things you need to know about the FG whistleblowing programme below:
1. Channels of communication for potential whistleblowers
This programme works with the use of a secure online portal which people can submit the relevant tips and reports to.
The portal for the programme is whistle.finance.gov.ng; emails on questions and queries can be forwarded to whistle@finance.gov.ng. In a case where the information to be given is urgent, this phone number can be used 0909 806 7946.
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2. The requirements for eligible information for the programme
The information required has to be as substantial as possible. It is important for the reports submitted to contain dates and place of occurrence and persons involved.
In cases where these are not available, it is sufficient that the whistleblower makes the report on reasonable belief that the information provided is true.
3. FG’s commitment to whistleblowers and their protection
A whistleblower does not necessarily have to be someone or a group of persons within or outside the government. This title could be for anyone who is deeply concerned about the
The reports have to be made in good faith and not out of malice or grievances aimed at getting back at a party. They should also not be made for the personal gains. The whistleblowers will be protected and entitled to the strictest confidentiality as permitted by the law.
The programme also makes provision for them when they feel they are in danger as a result of their whistleblowing activities.
The work of a whistleblower does not end with the submission of tips and reports, he or she will also have the opportunity to independently monitor the status of the report submitted.
This way, they will feel like a part of the process and be assured that the necessary steps are being taken on the provided information.
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4. The investigative units take over after a report is submitted
The programme is coordinated by the investigations unit under the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) within the ministry of finance.
The administrators of the programme will analyse the provided info and determine whether something credible can come out of it. This will be done within ten working days of getting the information.
Investigations can be done by another body apart from the PICA with the whistleblower being briefed on the outcome.
5. Reward for genuine whistleblowers
Giving relevant information that leads to the voluntary return of stolen or diverted public funds will be highly beneficial to the whistleblowers.
The reward scheme will give set minimum and maximum standards of 2.5 percent and 5 percent respectively as reward to the whistleblowers. The standards will be removed from the total recovered amount and given to the whistleblowers.
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6. Punishment for those who abuse the programme
As expected, the FG is aware of people who will want to launch their unscrupulous behaviours with the program. Information that is misleading, speculated or acquired in a manner that constitutes criminal offence will not attract any reward.
Also, whistleblowers who deliberately provide false information will be subjected to investigation and possible prosecution by law enforcement agencies.
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