Senate passes Whistle Blowers Protection Bill (updated)

The Senate has passed the Whistle Blower Protection Bill. The bill was sponsored by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke last year.

It was passed, following the adoption of a report of its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The Bill recommended a jail term of up to two years and a monetary fine of N500,000 for an offender in the witness protection bill passed by the upper chamber.

The new bill is to enable certain people receive protection in relation to certain information, evidence or other assistance rendered to law enforcement agencies during enquiries, investigation or prosecution.

The bill was passed, following the adoption of a report presented by Senator David Umaru who heads the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The bill was read for the first time on 9 December 2015. While reading the report, Senator Umaru said the witness protection programme contained in the bill is a universally accepted concept for the protection of witnesses who are willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing the justice systems and whose lives may be threatened.

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“It is to give impetus to the current anti-corruption drive of this administration. No doubt it would restore confidence to our justice system,” he said.

According to him, the bill seeks to address major loopholes in the nation’s justice system, as there are no extant laws in place which are specific enough to “address what this bill is to achieve, unravel highly organized criminal activities with the help of people who are willing to supply information.

“It also seek to provide an enabling environment to effect government policies that enhance the administration of criminal justice and the fight against corruption and assist unravel criminal activities which has constituted major challenges in corporate existence.

While contributing, Senator Kabiru Marafa, said there is need to make stiff penalty for any witness who attempts to contravene the law by pulling out. He said such should attract a fine of N500, 000, with a jail term of two years.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, hailed the late Senator Adeleke for sponsoring the bill. He added that the Senate is committed to ensuring the enhancement of our judicial process.

“This is one of our contributions to that process. I believe that going forward those in the judiciary especially those in the prosecution process to have it easy to securing witnesses and are sure of protection,” he said.
 

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