IKOYIGATE: It’s inhuman, degrading not to pay whistleblower, Ozekhome, Ali

* FG receives 5000 alerts from whistleblowers – PACAC A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome and some other lawyers yesterday condemned the non-payment of the whistleblower who uncovered a huge amount of money starched in a flat in Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State. Their reactions were against the backdrop that the whistleblower has been relocated to a facility over alleged mental problem, after the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu had stated that the whistleblower had been paid his five per cent.Among those who spoke with Sunday Telegraph apart from Ozekhome was a former President of Public Interest Lawyers League, Dr. Abdul Mahmud and a law lecturer, Dr. Ambali Hussein. In his own reaction, Ozekhome SAN, said that the denial of the whistleblower of his due entitlement is inhuman, unconscionable, degrading and perverse. “It is itself an elevation of corruption to the dizzying zenith of infamy. How can a patriotic citizen who was well-enough to blow whistle on the alleged Ikoyigate matter suddenly become a psychiatrist patient? This government never ceases to amaze me with woven incredible story lines and eerie tales from the Arabian Nights. “It may as well be, as many had argued, that no money was actually missing and that the entire story was simulated. In that case, the government may feel seriously challenged as to where to ferret out his five per cent. We are watching. The whistle blower should challenge their action in court”, he stated. In his own reaction, Dr. Mahmud questioned why the government is not paying the young lad his money? “They know the effect his madness of officialdom will have on the government’s budding whistle blower’s policy? Someone wants to cheat this lad out of his gain by visiting pain on him. I wish our anti-corruption czars are driven by honesty of purpose and by well grounded policies. Unfortunately, for me, it is ‘take your leaders as you see them.’ Also, Dr. Hussein noted that not paying the whistle blower will be a dent and also bring set back to the anti corruption fight of the Federal Government. “It is a policy, and I don’t see any reason why the government should renege. The allegation of mental instability is not an excuse for not paying the whistleblower. Moreover, the Federal Government is not qualified under law to determine who is mentally unstable or otherwise. I therefore, call on those concerned to do the needful, if actually, the anti-corruption fight will be productive,” he stated. Legal luminary, Yusuf Ali SAN in his reaction said the incentive set aside as commission for whistleblowers ought to be paid for the sake of credibility and trust. “If the government or any agency promises to pay for an information, especially in the case of whistle blowing, once the information is valid, they should pay. “This is because when they fail to pay people would lose confidence and would not be forth coming anymore. Most of the whistleblowers are motivated by that incentive or money. Hence, if such motivation is cut off, there won’t be much reports coming up in the future. “It is pertinent that the EFCC keeps its promise and not renege on it. However, if the money is not paid, it would affect the anti-graft war because people would no longer trust the agency to give out vital information on stolen funds or loots,” he said Meanwhile, The whistleblower policy of the Federal Government has continued to generate interest among members of the public, as the official portal for that purpose has recorded 5, 000 alerts. The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), made the disclosure in Abuja, at an interactive session with Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the media. The session afforded PACAC the platform to present its annual report (August 2016 – July 2017) to the public. The report, a copy of which was obtained by Sunday Telegraph, revealed that the whistle-blower policy was conceptualised by the PACAC, as part of its mandate to develop strategy documents on anti-corruption.]]>