Whistle blowing is one thing that the Nigerian government had encouraged before now, but it appears it is rethinking that decision.
Now the government is referencing Section 97(2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, highlighting that it stipulates punishment for employee who engages in whistle blowing.
According to a top government official, the Act stipulates a punishment of up to one-year imprisonment for any public service employee who, without proper authority, copies or discloses any document owned by their employer.
The Federal Government has issued a strong warning against the unauthorised disclosure of official documents, stating that such acts are punishable offences under Nigerian law.
Senator George Akume, the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), delivered this warning during a workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.
The workshop, organised by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), focused on the theme, “Renewing Hope and Strengthening National Unity through Effective Communication and the Role of the Official Secrets Act in Maintaining Confidentiality and National Security.
”During his address, delivered by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Akume emphasised the critical importance of maintaining confidentiality within the government.
Considered A Felony
In addition, he highlighted that unauthorised leakage of sensitive official documents was considered a felony, with no defense permissible under the Constitution or the Freedom of Information Act.
Akume referenced Section 97(2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, which stipulates a punishment of up to one-year imprisonment for any public service employee who, without proper authority, copies or discloses any document owned by their employer.
The SGF also recalled measures previously implemented to curb the leakage of sensitive information across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Also, he noted that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation issued service-wide circulars in August 2021 aimed at tightening the security of official documents and ensuring compliance with established protocols.
This was reinforced by another service-wide circular in February 2024 on the unauthorized circulation of official documents with information on social media.
Also Read: Diezani Madueke’s Ex-husband Files Petition Against Her For Continuous Use Of Name
“This was done to re-emphasise other extant regulations prohibiting unauthorised disclosure or leakage of official documents.
“There is a need to regulate the activities of civil society organisations that use the Freedom of Information Act.”
U.S Presidency: Supreme Court’s Trump Immunity Ruling Draws Scathing Criticism From Biden