A bill seeking to protect
whistleblowers and witnesses has passed first reading at the senate.
The bill passed first reading
after Nelson Ayewoh, clerk of the senate, read the short title of it.
The bill entitled, ‘Whistleblower
and Witness Protection Bill, 2019 (SB.125)’ is sponsored by Benjamin Uwajumogu,
senator representing Imo north.
The previous senate had passed
the witness protection and whistleblower protection bills as separate
legislation.
But the whistleblowing bill got
stuck at second reading in the house of representatives and did not make it
through to third reading, and no action was taken by the house on the proposed
law seeking to protect witnesses.
In the eighth assembly, the
whistleblower bill made provision for financial rewards to encourage citizens
who expose corruption.
It also sought to protect
whistleblowers against victimisation and loss of jobs.
“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, 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.”
The witness protection bill, on
the other hand, sought to create a programme for witnesses who are willing to
provide information to the government in the course of litigation.
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