A bill to protect whistleblowers from persecution has passed first reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, which is in recognition of Article 33 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption encourages State parties to develop legal frameworks for whistle-blowing and the protection of whistleblowers.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Kayode Oladele, who presented the bill, said if passed into law, it would protect whistleblowers from all forms of attack and reprisal.
The law, if enacted will among other things, encourage and facilitate whistle-blowing, regulate the receiving of petitions, investigating and otherwise dealing with disclosures by whistle-blowers.
According to the sponsor of the bill, it further provides for protection for making disclosure of impropriety leveled against public office holders.
The Senate had earlier passed the Whistleblower bill.
