The Oyo State government will soon pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill to facilitate the work of its anti-corruption agency.
Governor Seyi Makinde made the disclosure in Ibadan on Tuesday during a training workshop organised for board members, management and members of staff of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA).
Represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN, the governor said the law would ease the process of getting information from the people.
He said, “We will be passing the whistleblower law with the reversed audit law. In auditing, sometimes, some things may look normal but are not normal for those that are involved in it.
“We need insider information to expose those abnormalities, and that is why the work of the whistleblower is very important. The law will protect and intensify the whistleblower to come out to give information.
“If we have whistleblowers participating with us, we will recover more money for the state.”
He promised that his administration would support OYACA with logistic and operational mechanisms to enable it achieve its objectives.
The training was conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
In her remark, the chairman of OYACA, Justice Eni Esan (retired), commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission for cooperating with the government in the fight against corruption in the state.
He also commended the governor and the Justice commissioner for their support for the agency.
The chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, delivered a lecture entitled ‘Leading with the Integrity Pointers for Corruption Free-Agency’.
He said corruption is endemic in Nigeria and cannot be eradicated by ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alone.
The ICPC boss enjoined officials of OYACA not to act with impunity and break the law. He also urged them not to use their positions to amass wealth, saying this would tarnish their image and that of the agency.
“People that will come to you are very influential. Be courageous. Be determined and don’t disappoint the agency,” he said.
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