EFCC Vows To Prosecute Whistleblowers With False Information

The Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, has
expressed concern about the activities of supposed whistleblowers
who mislead the agency through false information.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdurasheed Bawa,
said despite due diligence by the EFCC, scarce investigative
resources have been wasted by the agency in following up false
leads that frequently come to a dead end.

He said the activities of false whistleblowers detract from the
noble intendment of the Whistleblower Policy of the Federal
Government which seeks to incentivize information leading to the
recovery of stolen wealth.

Noting that the Whistleblower Policy was not designed as a tool
for unscrupulous citizens to send law enforcement agencies on wild
goose chase or set them against their perceived enemies, he vowed
that the EFCC will not hesitate to prosecute any whistleblower who
willfully provides the agency with false information.

He, however, reiterated the Commission’s preparedness to work
with genuine whistleblowers and acknowledged the breakthroughs
which the EFCC recorded in its assets recovery drive, using
information supplied by whistleblowers.

He advised genuine informants to be cautious and ensure that
they have accurate information before engaging with the agency.

Bawa assured that the Directorate of Intelligence which was
recently created will henceforth ensure that all information
received by the EFCC is subjected to rigorous due diligence before
action is taken.

The Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, has
expressed concern about the activities of supposed whistleblowers
who mislead the agency through false information.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdurasheed Bawa,
said despite due diligence by the EFCC, scarce investigative
resources have been wasted by the agency in following up false
leads that frequently come to a dead end.

He said the activities of false whistleblowers detract from the
noble intendment of the Whistleblower Policy of the Federal
Government which seeks to incentivize information leading to the
recovery of stolen wealth.

Noting that the Whistleblower Policy was not designed as a tool
for unscrupulous citizens to send law enforcement agencies on wild
goose chase or set them against their perceived enemies, he vowed
that the EFCC will not hesitate to prosecute any whistleblower who
willfully provides the agency with false information.

He, however, reiterated the Commission’s preparedness to work
with genuine whistleblowers and acknowledged the breakthroughs
which the EFCC recorded in its assets recovery drive, using
information supplied by whistleblowers.

He advised genuine informants to be cautious and ensure that
they have accurate information before engaging with the agency.

Bawa assured that the Directorate of Intelligence which was
recently created will henceforth ensure that all information
received by the EFCC is subjected to rigorous due diligence before
action is taken.