ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, as in many countries of the world, mechanism for fighting corrupt practices has been a subject of constant debate and discussion among stakeholders. Corrupt practices have continued to attract the attention of everybody and have experienced series of initiatives to curb its menace on national development. This paper examined whistleblowing policy, being one recent policy of the government to fight corruption, especially among the political class and public office holders, by the Federal Government of Nigeria. It attempts to conceptualize whistleblowing and its component. With regards to the methodology, it explores documentary evidence of recovered fund through whistleblowing since it was launched in Nigeria in 2016. The use of internet, journal, thesis, archival material and the vast expanse of the literature assisted in the source of information. The paper found evidence of pervasive tendencies for improved recovery of looted fund, exposure of corrupt practices and assistance to Anti-graft agencies in fighting corruption in Nigeria. The paper concluded, among others, that whistleblowing policy has assisted anti-graft agencies in fighting corruption in Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
The evolution of the whistle blowing policy of the federal government came as a result of the deepening financial crises confronting the nation which is the effect of the high level of corruption reflected in in the theft and diversion of public funds for personal enrichment at the detriment of the poor and vunerable and the economic state of the nation. A definition offered by the World Bank views corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain. While agbu (2003) describe it as the theft of state Asset or Diversion of State resources for private use. Aluko proffered nine forms of corruption which include Fraud , Embezzlement , Favouritism ,Nepotism, Political corruption (grand) , Bureaucratic corruption (petty) , Electoral corruption , Bribery , (Aluko, 2009:5) .The consequencies of Corruption exact a lot of negative impact on every aspect of the nations development: social, economic and political (Igbuzor, 2008).According to Ikubaje (2004) The effect of corruption has raised a global concern because of its effect on individual, institutions, and nations (Igbuzor, 2008).The Lima Declaration, states the impacts of corruption to include: the subversion of the rule of law, retardation of development, economic rights of the poor and vulnerable, destruction of the of the moral life of the people , violation of the social and undermining of democracy, and denial of society, particularly the poor, denial of the benefits of free and open competition (Igbuzor, 2008).
The whistleblowing policy was instituted the federal ministry of finance and approved by the federal government to facilitate the divulsion of information regarding the violation of financial regulations, misappropriation of public funds and assets, theft of public funds, financial malpractice, and fraud .Consequently an on-line portal was created to enhance the disclosure of information regarding the mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractice ,fraud , theft , violation of financial regulations, in the best interest of the public .
According to Mrs. Kemi Adeosun the Nigerian federal minister of finance, the basic objective of the policy is to facilitate the fight for the eradication of financial crimes and corruption, through the exposure of such financial crimes and the provision of rewards to whistle-blowers.
Consequently the policy offers protection to whistle-blowers which covers them from harassment or intimidation by their employers or bosses. The benefit of the policy is believed will increase transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and the recovery of looted public fund for the deployment of infrastructural development. This will enhance a corruption-free society and the attraction of foreign investor’s Niyi Akinnaso’s (2016). Therefore, the research seeks to proffer an Assessment of the Whistle Blower policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria: Issues, solutions and Benefits.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Nigeria as long being confronted with the issue of corruption which has eluded the nation of great resources that would have been used for developing infrastructure and the improvement of the living standard of the people. A definition offered by the World Bank views corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain. While agbu (2003) describe it as the theft of state Asset or Diversion of State resources for private use. Aluko proffered nine forms of corruption which include Fraud, Embezzlement, Favoritism, Nepotism, Political corruption (grand), Bureaucratic corruption (petty), Electoral corruption, Bribery, (Aluko, 2009:5) The devasting effect of this menace has deepened the Nigerian economy into a state of financial crises. Consequently, as a measure to recover looted funds and illicit gotten wealth from government officials, the Nigerian federal government enacted the wistle blowing policy. According to Mrs. Kemi Adeosun the Nigerian federal minister of finance, the basic objective of the policy is to facilitate the fight for the eradication of financial crimes and corruption, through the exposure of such financial crimes and the provision of rewards to whistle-blowers. Consequently, the policy offers protection to whistle-blowers which covers them from harassment or intimidation by their employers or bosses. The benefit of the policy is believed will increase transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and the recovery of looted public fund for the deployment of infrastructural development. Which will enhance a corruption-free society and the attraction of foreign investors? Therefore, the problem confronting the research is to appraise the Assessment of the Whistle Blower policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria: Issues, solutions and Benefits
1.3 Objectives of the Study
- To determine the whistle blowing policy and its significance.
- To determine the impact of the whistle blowing policy on the corruption level in Nigeria.
- To examine the challenges of the whistle blowing policy in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
- What is the meaning of the Whistle blowing policy?
- What is the significance of the whistle blowing policy?
- What is the impact of the whistle blowing policy on the level of corruption in Nigeria?
- What are the challenges of the whistle blowing policy in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of Study
The study shall proffer a detail appraisal of the whistle blowing policy and elucidate on its significance
The study shall determine the impact of the whistle blowing policy on the level of corruption on the Nigerian Economy
1.6 Research Methodology
The research would make use of secondary sources to answer the research questions. The choice between primary and secondary data sometimes depends on the following considerations, due to falsifications of responses from respondents or errors during the process of data entry
- Nature and scope of the research
- Financial constraint.
- Time constraint.
- Degree of accuracy desired
Secondary sources utilized include academic journals, books, internet sources, government report, lectures, newspaper.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study proffers an Assessment of the Whistle Blower policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria: Issues, solutions and Benefits
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The issue of geographical factor and logistics were some of the limitations confronting the research
1.9 Definition of Terms
WHITLE BLOWER DEFINED
A whistleblower is regarded as a person who offers information of a possible misconduct of misappropriation of public funds, theft of state assest or diversion of state resources for private aggrandizement in the best interest of the public.
CORRUPTION DEFINED
According to the World Bank corruption is defined as the abuse of public office for private gains. The theft of state assets, or the diversion of state resources (in Agbu, 2003:3)