Senate passes Whistleblower Protection Bill into law

The Nigerian Senate has passed the Whistleblower Protection Bill
into law.

The Bill, which seeks to encourage and facilitate the
disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public
bodies was presented by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights
and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator David Umaru, the member
representing Niger East in the 8th National Assembly.

Otherwise known as “An Act to Protect Persons Making Disclosures
for the Public Interest and Others from Reprisals, to Provide for
the Matters Disclosed to be Properly Investigated and Dealt with
and for other Purposes Related Therewith”, the Bill also seeks to
ensure that persons who make disclosures and persons who may suffer
reprisals in relation to such disclosures are protected under the
law.

The Bill also specifies who is qualified to make disclosure of
improper conduct; the procedure for making disclosures; and the
protection due to ‘whistleblowers.’

Under the newly passed Bill, a person who makes a disclosure
shall not be subject to victimisation by his or her employers or by
fellow employees. Additionally, a person who makes a disclosure has
the right to take legal action if he or she is victimised,
dismissed, suspended, declared redundant, transferred against his
or her will, harassed or intimidated in any manner.

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said the
passage of the bill was “a promise kept”.

“Today, we have passed a landmark piece of legislation to fight
corruption and protect patriotic Nigerians who are fighting
corruption,” he said,

“This Bill will protect the lives of those who risk themselves
to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.”

With the passage of this Bill, the Senate has concluded work on
three anti-corruption Bills. In May 2017, it passed the Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, while in June 2017, it passed
the Witness Protection Bill.

The Bill to establish Special Anti-Corruption Courts has been
sent to the Constitution Amendment Committee. The Proceeds of Crime
Bill has been sent to the Senate Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption
and Judiciary

The Nigerian Senate has passed the Whistleblower Protection Bill
into law.

The Bill, which seeks to encourage and facilitate the
disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public
bodies was presented by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights
and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator David Umaru, the member
representing Niger East in the 8th National Assembly.

Otherwise known as “An Act to Protect Persons Making Disclosures
for the Public Interest and Others from Reprisals, to Provide for
the Matters Disclosed to be Properly Investigated and Dealt with
and for other Purposes Related Therewith”, the Bill also seeks to
ensure that persons who make disclosures and persons who may suffer
reprisals in relation to such disclosures are protected under the
law.

The Bill also specifies who is qualified to make disclosure of
improper conduct; the procedure for making disclosures; and the
protection due to ‘whistleblowers.’

Under the newly passed Bill, a person who makes a disclosure
shall not be subject to victimisation by his or her employers or by
fellow employees. Additionally, a person who makes a disclosure has
the right to take legal action if he or she is victimised,
dismissed, suspended, declared redundant, transferred against his
or her will, harassed or intimidated in any manner.

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said the
passage of the bill was “a promise kept”.

“Today, we have passed a landmark piece of legislation to fight
corruption and protect patriotic Nigerians who are fighting
corruption,” he said,

“This Bill will protect the lives of those who risk themselves
to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.”

With the passage of this Bill, the Senate has concluded work on
three anti-corruption Bills. In May 2017, it passed the Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, while in June 2017, it passed
the Witness Protection Bill.

The Bill to establish Special Anti-Corruption Courts has been
sent to the Constitution Amendment Committee. The Proceeds of Crime
Bill has been sent to the Senate Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption
and Judiciary