The new WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY in Nigeria should be welcomed by all Nigerians.
If manage well, apart from saving the country from crumbling as the country is speedily dyeing, this policy help recover much looted wealth of Nigerians by public officers.
It also has a cash rewards for those who give vital information to recover looted wealth. Identity of the blower is protected.
Another good side of this policy is help errand boys of these criminal who looted the wealth. Most of them stave and impoverish their drivers, securities and their aids that help them to loot the wealth. Their aids wife will give birth in the hospital, you see the aids borrowing money to pay for the hospital bills while their boss that they help to loot Nigeria dry will tell them “TRY, GOD WILL HELP YOU”.
This policy may be a way these errand boys may have their own share of looted money.
Federal Government of Nigeria WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from Federal Ministry of Finance
1 – What is the FMF – Whistleblowing Programme?
The Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) whistleblowing programme is designed to encourage anyone with information about a violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractice, fraud and theft to report it.
2 – What is the Federal Government of Nigeria, FMF-Whistle?
The Federal Government of Nigeria, FMF-Whistle is a secure, online portal through which information bordering on violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractice or fraud and theft that is deemed to be in the interest of the public can be disclosed. The online portal also permits the person disclosing the information to perform a status check on matters that have been reported on the whistleblowing online portal.
3 – Who is a Whistleblower?
A whistleblower is a person who voluntarily discloses to the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, a possible misconduct or violation that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur with specific concerns which are in the public interest.
4 – What type of information can be submitted?
Examples include:
- Violation of Government’s financial regulations e.g. failure to comply with the Financial Regulations Act, Public Procurement Act and other extant laws.
- Mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets (e.g. properties and vehicles).
- Information on stolen public funds.
- Information on concealed public funds.
- Financial malpractice or fraud.
- Collecting / soliciting bribes.
- Diversion of revenues.
- Underreporting of revenues.
- Conversion of funds for personal use.
- Fraudulent and unapproved payments.
- Splitting of contracts.
- Procurement fraud (kickbacks and over-invoicing etc.)
- Violation of public procurement procedures.
The programme does not apply to personal grievances concerning private contracts.
5 – How do I submit my information under the whistleblower programme?
You can submit your information through the FMF-Whistle online portal or in writing to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit Unit or by calling 09098067946.
6 – Can I submit my information to FMF-Whistle anonymously?
Yes, you can submit your information anonymously. Many individuals who may otherwise decide not to become whistleblowers will be encouraged to provide information because they do not have to disclose their identities while providing information.
7 – What additional information is required from a whistleblower?
If the whistleblower has evidence to support the disclosures, it is expected that the whistleblower would submit them through the FMF-Whistle online portal. The whistleblower is expected to state the facts with as much specific information as possible such as what occurred, who was involved and dates of occurrence so that the allegations can be investigated.
However, it is also sufficient that the whistleblower holds a reasonable belief that the information provided is true.
Concerns must be raised in public-spirit and in good faith, and the individual or group of individuals must reasonably believe that the information disclosed, and any allegations contained in it, are substantially true beyond reasonable doubt.
8 – Will my identity remain confidential?
Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible within the limitations of the law. If the whistleblower chooses not to disclose their identity, there will be no record of the whistleblower’s identity. If the whistleblower chooses to disclose their identity, the identity will only be disclosed in circumstances required by law.
9 – Who can make use of FMF – Whistleblowing online portal?
Anybody with information about a violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractice or fraud and theft, including but not limited to: internal stakeholders, inter-Government stakeholders, institutional stakeholders and members of the public.
10 – Will I be protected as a whistleblower?
Any Stakeholder who whistleblows in public-spirit and in good faith will be protected, regardless of whether or not the issue raised is upheld against any Party. Any Stakeholder (internal or external) who has made a genuine disclosure and who feels that, as a result, he or she has suffered adverse treatment in retaliation should file a formal complaint to an independent panel of inquiry, that shall be set-up to handle such complaint, detailing his/her adverse treatment.
If it appears that there are reasonable grounds for making the complaint, the responsibility will be on the Party against whom the complaint of adverse treatment has been made to show that the actions complained of were not taken in retaliation for the disclosure.
Where it is established that there is a prima facie case that a Whistleblower has suffered adverse treatment (harassment, intimidation or victimization) for sharing his\her concerns with the Ministry, a further investigation may be instituted and disciplinary action may be taken against the perpetrator in accordance with the public service rules/other extant rules and a restitution shall be made to the Whistleblower for any loss suffered.
11 – How will the information that I provided be used?
The information you provide is available immediately to the administrators of the FMFWhistleblowing online portal or the attentioned staff, who after a preliminary analysis will determine whether to open an investigation into the matters reported.
12 – Is the whistleblower entitled to a financial reward?
A Whistleblower responsible for providing the Government with information that directly leads to the voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5%-5.0% of amount recovered. In order to qualify for the reward, the Whistleblower must provide the Government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the Government. The actual recovery must also be on account of the information provided by the Whistleblower.
13 – Is there protection from False or Malicious Claims?
Yes. A first level review will always be carried out to determine credibility and sufficiency of information received. If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution.
14 – What turnaround time should I expect once the information is acknowledged?
Upon receipt of the information, an acknowledgement response will be sent and preliminary analysis to confirm whether there is a violation or potential violation will be conducted within ten (10) working days. If an investigation is commenced, the nature and complexity of the matters under investigation will dictate the time frame. However, there is a feedback mechanism where a whistleblower can independently monitor the status or progress report of tips submitted.
15 – Can I receive status updates on the progress with the information that I have provided?
When you submit a tip, the portal will generate a unique reference number. To know the status of your submitted tip, simply click on “Get Feedback” and enter the reference number.
16 – What is the purpose or expected outcome of the programme?
- Increase exposure of financial or financial related crimes;
- Support the fight against financial crimes and corruption;
- Improved level of public confidence in public entities;
- Enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public funds;
- Improve Nigeria’s Open Government Ranking and Ease of Doing Business Indicators; and
- Recovery of public funds that can be deployed to finance Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit.
For more information on FMF-Whistle, please call 09098067946 or E-mail whistle@finance.gov.ng