Chief Law Mefor, ageless political analyst and former Special Adviser to the former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamai, has welcomed the latest graft fighting policy of the federal government which earmarks about 5 per cent of every successfully recovered to the whistle-blower(s).
In an interview in Abuja on Thursday, he said “One of the best tools for fighting corruption has just arrived lately, but it will perform wonders as all looters will be jittery now”.
“I am saying this because no single person loots a treasury without accomplices and many a time, there are always one or more persons who are in the know od the illicit deal but always feel not concerned either because of nothing was given to them or they will gain nothing if they leak it.
“But now, one has something tangible to gain, even more legally if he gives information leading to the recovery. This is very good even though, like I said earlier, it came very late but not too late to help the country.
Mefor added that many of the whistle-blower(s) would come from the civil service because the Service remains the most vulnerable field where looting is very active because of the fact that it is government money.
However, he continued, “My fear will be the safety of the whistle-blower(s) in terms of government blowing another whistle for the looter to start trailing the whistle-blower(s). Am talking about the safety of the whistle-blower(s).
“In fact, the beginning and the successful end of the first case will go along way in deepening the efficacy of the policy.
Only recently, the apex government approved payment of not more than five per cent of the recovered loot to any successful whistle blower who provides relevant information leading to the recovery of funds.
The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, made this known while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adeosun said the council approved a Whistle Blowing policy aimed at consolidating the ongoing anti-corruption campaign embarked upon by the present administration.
Adeosun said the policy would soon be supported by a bill already receiving due attention of the National Assembly.
According to her, adequate measures are being taken to protect and safe guard the lives and identities of whistle blowers.
Elated Adeosun made it clear that “If you whistle-blow in public-spirit and in good faith, you will be protected. If you feel that you have been treated badly because of your report, you can file a formal complaint.
“If you have suffered harassment, intimidation or victimisation for sharing your concerns, restitution will be made for any loss so suffered.”
