N700bn recovered through whistleblowers – Finance minister - Newstrends
Connect with us

News

N700bn recovered through whistleblowers – Finance minister

Published

on

The Federal Government had recovered over N700bn from corrupt individuals since the commencement of the whistle-blower policy in 2016, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said on Tuesday in Abuja.

She spoke during an interview with journalists at the National Conference on Whistle Blower Policy in Nigeria.

She said some of these recoveries were made during the cleaning of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System; stoppage of non-compliance with the Treasury Single Account and violations of the procurement Act 2007 among others.

The minister said at inception of the policy, there was widespread enthusiasm as Nigerians volunteered numerous actionable information.

Such information or tips, she noted, were referred for further investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the Department of State Services.
However, she lamented that after sometime, interest in the implementation of the policy nosedived.

To address these issues, she said a committee with representatives from anti-graft and security agencies, chaired by a representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice, was set up to draft a Whistle Blower Bill.

The committee was set up taking into account all the complaints received from the public and the observations of the various stakeholders.

Also speaking at the event, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Whistle Blower Policy was developed as a tool to expose corruption and corrupt actors in government.

“The Whistle Blower Policy presents a unique opportunity for men and women of conscience who are appalled by the level of corruption in the society and are looking for safe avenues to expose the perpetrators of such corrupt activities to do so in a way that their identities are protected and their positions in their places of work are secured,” he said.

The Vice President urged the developers of the new Whistle Blower Bill to expand the scope of wrongful acts that might be reported by whistleblowers.

He said, “As a violation of law, gross mismanagement, waste of public resources, or acts inimical to public health or safety should be included in the scope of activities that whistleblowers can report to the authorities.

“The law should also provide for comprehensive protection of whistleblowers, including against reprisals from their employers and those whose activities they expose.

“These may include witness protection type provisions should the whistleblower have to appear in court.”

The VP said the ability of government to deliver on promises in the areas of human capital development, provision of quality infrastructure and the general economic progress of the country depended significantly on the protection of the scarce resources from being looted and its application for the benefit of Nigerian citizens.

He also said the policy should operate widely in states and local governments as they were closer to the people and oversee about half of the nation’s revenues.

Osinbajo said government’s goal was to harness the huge potential of the people to deliver on their moral obligation to report cases of corruption within their immediate environments.

The new whistleblower policy, he insisted, would energise the people to guard their resources through increased exposure of financial and related crimes.

News

US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Published

on

US lawmaker Riley Moore
US lawmaker Riley Moore

US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Several United States lawmakers have raised fresh alarm over alleged Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria, urging diplomatic intervention, policy action, and international attention to the country’s ongoing security crisis.

Republican Representative Riley Moore highlighted violence by armed groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militias, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of Christians, particularly in Benue State. Moore described the attacks as “genocidal” and has called for stronger U.S. engagement to protect vulnerable communities.

In Congress, lawmakers have introduced resolutions condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria, with some pushing to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, a U.S. foreign policy measure that could trigger sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Supporters argue the move is necessary to compel Nigeria to strengthen security, while critics caution that such a designation could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations.

READ ALSO:

The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed the genocide narrative as propaganda and misinformation, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christian and Muslim communities. Abuja has also hired U.S.-based lobbyists to communicate its security efforts and clarify that the violence is linked to terrorism and communal conflict, not targeted religious extermination.

Religious and civil society voices remain divided. Some emphasise the real threat to Christian communities, while others warn that framing the situation as genocide oversimplifies Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.

As debate intensifies, the controversy continues to influence international perceptions, diplomatic relations, and discussions on religious freedom and security policy in Nigeria.

US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Continue Reading

News

Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations

Published

on

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo met privately with ex-military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting that has sparked widespread speculation about potential political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, drew attention as both leaders emerged as key elder statesmen whose counsel and influence are often sought by Nigeria’s political elite. Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida spoke to journalists after the session, and no official statement was released, fueling discussions about behind-the-scenes strategic planning and coalition-building for 2027.

READ ALSO:

Political analysts note that such high-profile consultations are common ahead of major elections, as party leaders, former presidents, and influential figures explore alliances, policy priorities, and national governance strategies. Observers also link this meeting to recent PDP and APC elder consultations, signaling continued efforts by senior politicians to shape the electoral landscape.

The rendezvous underscores Obasanjo’s continuing role as a political kingmaker, leveraging his network and experience to influence party strategies, candidate selection, and national discourse. With the 2027 elections approaching, similar closed-door meetings among Nigeria’s top political figures are expected to intensify in the coming months.

Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations

Continue Reading

News

Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing

Published

on

Vice‑President Kashim Shettima

Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing

There has been widespread anger in Borno State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) omitted Vice‑President Kashim Shettima from the official banner at the party’s North‑East zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner, which featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the five APC governors from the region, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, conspicuously left out Shettima, a native of Borno State.

The omission prompted immediate backlash from party leaders, including Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who described it as “provocative and unfair,” stressing that it was inappropriate to sideline a senior party official in his home state. The speaker recalled a similar controversy at an APC event in Gombe State last year, highlighting persistent sensitivities within the party’s North‑East faction.

READ ALSO:

Attendees of the Maiduguri hearing, convened to discuss proposed constitutional amendments, expressed support for Lawan’s remarks, with loud applause and calls for the Vice‑President’s recognition. In response, the APC Deputy National Chairman dismissed the exclusion as an oversight by organisers, insisting there was no intention to diminish Shettima’s status and affirming that the hearing’s focus remained on party reforms rather than politics.

The incident comes amid speculation about internal APC dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, including questions around representation and leadership within the North‑East. Analysts note that repeated omissions of Shettima at high-profile events could fuel perceptions of internal rifts and affect party cohesion in the region.

Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing

Continue Reading
HostArmada Affordable Cloud SSD Shared Hosting
HostArmada - Affordable Cloud SSD Web Hosting

Trending