Gov’t policy: Would you blow the whistle on a relative, friend?
One of the biggest news stories last week was the recovery of $9.8 million discovered in Kaduna, owned by a former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria national Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu (NNPC). The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has claimed that the retrieval of the money was made possible by information provided by […]
One of the biggest news stories last week was the recovery of $9.8 million discovered in Kaduna, owned by a former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria national Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu (NNPC). The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has claimed that the retrieval of the money was made possible by information provided by a whistleblower. The Federal Government enacted the Whistleblowing Policy in December 2016 where whistleblowers are to get a 2.5 or percent reward off recovered funds. Daily Trust asked some Nigerians if they will blow the whistle on a relative or friend.
Daniel Nanso, 27, security guard, Gwarimpa, Abuja
Of course, I’ll blow the whistle because I want this nation to succeed and grow. We as citizens should do what is expected of us. I believe every person, whether they are my relatives or not, should face the consequences of their actions and be justified.
Timothy Joseph, 26, policeofficer, Asokoro, Abuja
We the police receive information from civilians so that if we need to make an arrest, we know how to go about it. In that respect, if I am invited for questioning regarding something that my relative or friend has done, I will give the information I know truthfully so that they can be brought to justice. Anybody that can steal government money deserves whatever is comes to him or her. If someone even comes forward with information that someone I know has looted money, I will go forward with the information without hesitation. I am a man of the law.
Phillip Apine, 27, hotel personnel, Gwarimpa
If you do anything that I know is wrong, even if it is as big a crime as stealing public funds and I know that you will be punished for it, I will report you so that you learn a lesson from it. Or I will approach the person that did it and talk to him or her first to see if the person can try and make it right some way to avoid humiliation. If the person refuses, then I will go to the authorities and report and definitely tell them to withhold my name.
Nasiru Zamfara,
30, Shop owner, Jos. Plateau State
I wouldn’t report the person immediately. I will talk to them first, tell them what they did was wrong even though it has already been done. But I won’t necessarily report if the person regrets the deed. They should return the money and keep what belongs to them.
Tonia Ose, 23, Student,Edo State
Yes, I will because it is something that is not right. One shouldn’t think that because they are family members they can be above the law. But before you do, you should tell them that what they did was illegal and you are going to blow the whistle on them. For me, this is the right way to go about it so that they won’t do it again.
Ajah Deborah, 23, Student, Lugbe, Abuja
I will most definitely blow the whistle because it is not theirs and you are not expected to take what doesn’t belong to you. I will definitely report them. Because I am related to them or they are my friends is not a reason not to expose them. I will be proud to be known as someone who helped in the process of bringing them to justice even without the 5 percent reward I will be given. We shouldn’t be expected to be paid or rewarded for doing what is morally right.