Itse Sagay, chairman of the
presidential advisory committee against corruption (PACAC), says a
whistleblower can get as low as one percent commission “if it is an extremely
large amount”.
This is lower than the 2.5
percent stipulated by the whistleblower policy.
Under the policy introduced in
2016 to fight corruption, an individual who gives information on financial
crimes is entitled to between 2.5 and 5 percent of the recovered loot.
But speaking at an evaluation
workshop organised by PACAC regarding the policy, Sagay said the reward could
be lower than what the policy specifies.
He said: “Nigerians should be
aware that not every whistleblower is entitled to five percent.
“One controversial issue in the
whistleblowing policy is the question is remuneration. The public seems to be
fixated on the five percent which is the maximum. It can be as little as one
percent.
“If it is an extremely large
amount, the whistleblower cannot receive up to five percent, for instance the
$43m recovered in Ikoyi. It can be as low as one percent.”
When asked if the government has
any incentive for whistleblowers in cases not involving funds, he said: “I
think a fund will be created for that; a separate fund. So that those who give
information on such practices will get a reward.”
He added: “As we know, a lot of
whistleblowers exposed quite a number of looters. There have been others which
have not received the same publicity as that of Ikoyi.
“But since then, definitely there
has been a slight reduction in the frequency of whistleblowing. We want to use
this dialogue to assure potential whistleblowers that not only will they get
their remuneration but they are also going to be protected.”
Kemi Adeosun, minister of
finance, also reiterated that the federal government has so far recovered a
total of N143 billion from whistleblowing.
Represented by MK Dikwa, head of
the whistleblower unit at the ministry, she said 8,373 enquiries, including
1231 financial tips, have been received.
“While we view the policy as
being successful, there is still much work to be done,” the minister said.
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