Osun Lawmaker Commends Senate For Passing Whistle -blower Protection Bill

A member of Osun House  of Assembly,  Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has commended the Senate for passing the Whistle-blower Protection bill, saying it would strengthen government’s efforts against  corruption.
Oyintiloye in an interview with the press men on Thursday in Osogbo said the bill would  serve  as a morale boosters for whistleblowers, since they are assured of adequate protection.
The lawmaker  said the bill would  also go a long way in assisting Federal Government in its fight against corruption and also protect faithful Nigerians who will be risking their lives in exposing corrupt practices.
Oyintiloye (APC-Obokun State Constituency) applauded members of the Senate for given the bill accelerated passage.
He said the way and manner the bill was passed by the lawmakers was another indication that the National Assembly  was fully in support of fight against corruption in the country.

The lawmaker also commended the Senate for approving  five per cent of loot recovered  for whistle-blowers,  saying it would serve as a source of encouragement.
Oyintiloye,  who is the House Committee Chairman in Information and Strategy, however,  sound a note of caution to whistleblowers.
According to him,  since there is a punishment of a five -year jail term or N10 million against fake whistle blowing, whistle-blower should exercise caution by ensuring that the information they are providing to the government are genuine.

” I must commend the Senate for passing this bill.  No doubt,  it will help government’s campaigns against corruption.
” And most importantly,  this Bill will protect the lives of those who risk themselves to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria.”
“Nigeria is a great country  and we must move forward but for us to move faster,  we must kill corruption and with the passage of this bill,  corruption would no longer strive as before. ”

Senate on Wednesday passed the  the Whistle-Blowers Protection Bill.

Under the newly passed Bill, a person who makes a disclosure shall not be subject to victimisation by his or her employers or by fellow employees.
Also,  a person who makes a disclosure has the right to take legal action if he or she is victimised, dismissed, suspended, declared redundant, transferred against his or her will, harassed or intimidated in any manner.
The bill,  however, recommends a five-year jail term or N10m fine against persons who raise false alarm on hidden loot.