The African centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), in partnership with Tap initiative, NHRC, CeFTPI, and PRIMORG, in Abuja on Thursday September 18, held its first national interactive forum on whistleblowing and whistleblower protection for judges.
The forum themed “The Judiciary and Whistleblower Protection in Nigeria: Challenges and Responsibilities”, brought together nine federal high court judges from across the six zones of the country to discuss the critical role of the judiciary in protecting whistleblowers.
In his welcome address, Dr Chido Onumah, Cordinator of AFRICMIL, highlighted the organization’s eight-year commitment to supporting whistleblowers and advocating for legal reforms, emphasizing the need for a culture where truth is protected and not punished.
He also stated that the forum aims to address the gap in judicial understanding of whistleblower protection and promote effective enforcement of whistleblowing laws in Nigeria. Judges from the federal high courts, which have jurisdiction over whistleblowing cases were urged to support advocacy for a whistleblower law in Nigeria.
Martin Obono, Executive Director of Tap initiative, in his remarks said that ensuring anonymity and identity protection for whistleblowers, dealing with false or malicious claims, supporting whistleblowers who suffer retaliation and improving the speed and efficiency of litigation were some of the key challenges to be addressed.
He said that the forum aims to build momentum towards a swift enactment of the whistleblower protection bill and strengthen judicial capacity to handle whistleblowing cases with fairness and integrity.
Hon. Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge, Federal High Court of Nigeria, represented by Justice Dorcas Agishi, in his remarks explained that as judges, they have a profound responsibility to ensure that courts are a safe refuge for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing at great personal risk. He said that these whistleblowers, without proper protection, face dire consequences including jobs loss and even threats to their lives.
“When they are silenced or punished, a powerful tool against corruption is lost, undermining the foundation of our legal system and efforts to build a just and transparent society”, he said.
He also emphasized that the judiciary’s role is not merely to interpret the law, but also to actively create a climate of trust where citizens feel empowered to report wrongdoing without fear. “By upholding the rights of whistleblowers, we are not just protecting individuals, we are strengthening our nation’s integrity and fostering a culture of accountability”, he stated.
UNODC country representative, Mr Danilo Campisi, represented by Princess Chifiero, in his address stated that the protection of whistleblowers is a crucial tool in preventing, detecting, and prosecuting corruption.
Despite the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) calling on states to provide protection for individuals who report wrongdoing in good faith, many countries still struggle to implement effective measures. In fact, 70% of States parties received recommendations related to Article 33 of UNCAC, and half requested technical assistance to strengthen their legal and policy frameworks.
He emphasized that Nigeria has made progress through its 2016 whistleblower policy, which led to the recovery of significant public funds. However, the absence of a comprehensive Whistleblower Protection Act and a robust Witness Protection Bill continue to leave whistleblowers and witnesses vulnerable to retaliation and intimidation. He said that the UNODC is committed to strengthening its technical assistance in this area, as outlined in its Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030 and Country Programme, which includes strengthening the criminal justice system and safeguarding institutions from corruption.
Barbara Magaji, programme manager at Amnesty International Nigeria, in her speech, reiterated the importance of whistleblowing and its processes to Amnesty International.
She emphasized that whistleblowing is a part of freedom of expression, and thus, the rights of whistleblowers must be protected. “The rights of whistleblowers through a fair trial process, especially if they go through any legal or court process should be protected”, she said.
She also emphasized that as stakeholders in the justice system, they must ensure that their roles and responsibilities do not in any way discourage whistleblowers from speaking and revealing corrupt practices and wrong doing.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), Mr Umar Yakubu, noted that whistleblowers are crucial in exposing wrongdoing, and their protection is essential for a functional anti-corruption ecosystem.
He stated that the forum provides an opportunity for judges to engage with the principles and practicalities of whistleblower protection, strengthening judicial understanding and enhancing the legal framework for safeguarding those who speak up.
He reiterated the commitment of CeFTPI to supporting efforts aimed at building an incorruptible society.
The executive Director of PRIMORG, Augustine Agbosunremi, appealed to judges to contribute towards enacting a law that would assist in whistleblowing cases.
“if there is no law to rely on, what do you do? But even when there is no law, we recommend that there are some discretionary powers to be exercised”, he said.
The keynote speaker, Mr Tony Ojukwu SAN, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), represented by Harry Ogwuche, Director Economic and Social Rights, pointed out that whistleblowers are not mere informants but sentinels of public morality. “Whistleblowers are not disruptors, they are defenders of the rule of law. The judiciary must therefore be their shield, not their silence”, he said.
He called for a stand-alone law, urging the national assembly to treat the whistleblower bill as a matter of legislative urgency. He called on the media to amplify stories of whistleblowers and the public to celebrate their courage.
The forum also had a session where panelists identified and addressed the challenges surrounding the whistleblowing policy, and a whistleblower Yisa Usman recounted his experience and the different ordeals he faced after blowing the whistle.
The event was supported by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), MacArthur Foundation, Whistleblowing International Network (WIN) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
