The Federal Government
has clearly spelt out the irresistible benefits that await
whistle-blowers as it also pledges protection for them.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said any
whistle-blower whose information leads to the recovery of up to 1
billion Naira will receive 5 per cent of the amount.
According to him, the reward for any amount between 1 and 5 billion
Naira will be 5 per cent for
the first 1 billion Naira and 4 per cent of the remaining 4 billion
Naira, and that any amount over 5 billion Naira will attract 2.5%
reward.
Therefore, a whistle-blower that leads Nigeria to the recovery of cash
or assets worth N5billion, will earn N210million.
”For example, if a whistle-blower provides information leading to the
recovery of 10 billion Naira, he or she will receive five per cent of
the first one billion Naira, four per cent of the next four billion
Naira and 2.5 per cent of the remaining five billion Naira.
”What we have done by making this information public is to reassure
potential whistle-blowers that the plan to reward is real. We are not
just saying we will pay all whistle-blowers, but we are letting them
know in advance what they are entitled to, once the information they
provide leads to the recovery of looted funds,” he said.
Mohammed also gave the assurance that the government will protect the
identity of all whistle-blowers, whether in the public or the private
sector, and also ensure that the information they provide is kept
secret.
”Whistle-blowers have nothing to fear, because the committee has put in
place the necessary measures to safeguard those who give useful
information. As a matter of fact, whistle-blowers have everything to
gain and nothing to lose,” Mohammed said
”For those who may have suffered any backlash as a result of the
information they provide, their cases will be reviewed and appropriate
mitigating actions taken,” he said.
A civil servant working for the Foreign Affairs Ministry was said to be
have been sacked after exposing some theft in an agency of the ministry.
His case is being reviewed by the Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, following
the directive of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
Alhaji Mohammed said the assurance of protection followed the
presentations made to the Presidential Assets Recovery Committee by
concerned citizens and groups about the safety of whistle-blowers. –
NAN.
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