Senate passes bill to protect ‘snitches’

The Nigerian Senate today passed the Witness Protection Programme Bill.

The bill seeks to protect whistleblowers and other witnesses involved in the prosecution of certain criminal cases.

The bill was sponsored by Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

Adeleke had proposed that witnesses would be allowed to wear masks, bear pseudo names and receive protection from authorities.

ALSO READ: Whistleblower Starter Pack: 8 Things you need for your new job

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had disclosed that the Senate will pass the Whistle Blower Protection Bill by July, 2017.

Saraki stated this in Abuja on Monday, May 15, 2017 at the launch of "Antidotes for Corruption: The Nigerian Story, " a book written by Senator Dino Melaye.

He said that when backed by legislation, whistle-blowing would have greater value "and it is hoped that we can pass it before July this year."

The Senate also passed two other bills - Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Bill and Federal Roads Authority Bill.

Meanwhile, that the federal government has paid a total of N375.8 million to 20 whistleblowers who provided information that led to the recovery over N11.6 billion.