Senate reintroduces whistleblower and witness protection bill

The Senate has reintroduced the Whistleblower and Witness
Protection Bill.

The bill which seeks to protect whistleblowers and witnesses was
one of the 11 bills read for the first time during plenary on
Tuesday.

The ‘Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bill, 2019’ is
sponsored by Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North).

The eighth Senate had passed a similar bill in 2017. The bill
made provision for financial rewards to encourage citizens who
expose corruption.

It also sought to protect whistleblowers against victimisation
and loss of jobs. The person who makes a disclosure shall not be
subject to victimisation by his or her employer or by fellow
employees.

The bill sought to encourage and facilitate disclosures of
improper conduct by public officers and public bodies and those who
make such disclosures are protected under the law.

“Clause 34 deals with the establishment of disclosure. What is
given to a whistleblower is stipulated. What is proposed is in line
with the government. Clause 45 deals with penalty. Provides
stringent punishment of less than five years or a fine of N10
million,” David Umaru, then chairman of senate judiciary committee,
had said before it was passed for third reading at the time.

“The bill seeks adequate protection of whistleblowers from
reprisals, victimisation, job losses and humiliation which are some
of the consequences of whistleblowing.”

Meanwhile, the witness protection bill also passed by the 8th
Senate sought to create and operate a programme that protects
witnesses who provide vital information, evidence or render
assistance to law enforcement agencies in certain investigations,
enquiries or prosecutions.

The lawmakers are expected to debate the details of the bill on
another legislative day.