AFRICMIL, Others Advocate For Whistleblowers’ Protection in Nigeria

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has called for the protection of informants to maintain a functional whistleblowing system in Nigeria.

Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Dr Chido Onumah, made the call in Abuja during a national conference themed: “Amplifying Whistleblowing to Reduce Corruption and Protect Human Rights.”

The conference was reportedly held in collaboration with Amnesty International Nigeria on Thursday, as the AFRICMIL coordinator stated that a legal framework was crucial to informants to report wrongdoings without fear of victimisation.

Onumah further cited whistleblowers’ protection under Article 33 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Onumah, however, stated that instead of recognition, whistleblowers face attacks, including dismissal, threats, and arrests.

At the event was Tony Ojukwu, the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who also stressed the need for whistleblowers protection.

Their [Whistleblowers] efforts to expose corruption and misconduct should not be undermined,” Ojukwu stated.

Also, Emmanuel Shall, the Project Manager of Project to Protect Whistle-blowers in Africa, reaffirmed the commitment to safeguard whistleblowers across the continent and  support Nigerian organisations tackling corruption.

Meanwhile, a prominent whistleblower known as PIDOMNIGERIA has been detained since August 5th for bringing to public knowledge the corrupt practices of people in public service and promoting public interests.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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Mayowa Durosinmi is a Nigerian investigative reporter for West Africa Weekly with reports focusing on politics, human rights, security and health in West Africa and the Sahel region.

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