Some legal practitioners in Nigeria are pushing for stronger participation of whistleblowers in aid of the country's legal system. The Legal Practitioners in the Federal Capital Territory and Maraba are advocating the passage of a law in Nigeria that would protect whistleblowers and encourage their participation in court proceedings.
The Legal Practitioners said that the would-be Nigerian law aims to assure safety to whistleblowers that expose any kind of wrongdoing or legal violation in society. According to The Guardian Nigeria, the law would help eliminate corrupt elements in Nigeria.
In a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria on the potential implication of incorporating whistblowers in the country's legal system, one respondent agreed that these people have provide vital in solving many of the country's legal woes.
Olakanmi Olajide, a respondent in the survey, said, " [Having] whistleblower[s] will be strategic and important in Nigeria if only we can manage them well," adding that it is a "welcome development" to the legal department especially in the 21st century.
Another respondent, Umar Abdullahi, said whistleblowers are helpful to the system in that they would make individuals rethink their actions to avoid committing illegal or corrupt acts.
"As citizens of Nigeria, we are enjoined to assist the law officers and law enforcement agents in the apprehension of offenders from escaping from lawful custody," Luka Haruna added.
"Whistleblower is a patriotic act to help rid the society of crimes and criminals... In other climes and jurisdiction, whistleblowers are remunerated if their information leads to the arrest of a criminal or nipping in the board commission of an offence."
However, some of the respondents said that Nigeria lacks strong legal protection for whistleblowers, making it difficult for them to cooperate with investigations and testify against suspects.
In other Nigerian news, Kayode Ajulo, former National Secretary of the Labor Party, also shares the same sentiment over the necessity of whistleblowers' involvement in fighting corruption and crime in the country. Ajulo said that corruption is so pervasive in Nigeria that President Muhammadu Buhari would need the help of Nigerians to effectively get rid of it.
Ajulo, who is also a legal practitioner, said, "Individuals, organizations other tiers of government including communities, religious and traditional institutions have roles to play."
According to the Vanguard, Kayode Ajulo cited how the Whistleblower Law in Ghana has managed to expose corrupt judges through a testimony of an anonymous journalist, thus emphasizing the necessity of having the same law in Nigeria.
Many countries have adopted laws to protect whistleblowers in aid of executing the functions of the judiciary. In India, the Supreme Court is facilitating the passage of the Whistleblowers Protection Law by devising an administrative mechanism that would protect whistleblowers from threats and harassment, Times of India noted.
The respondents to the survey strongly believe that while revealing misdeeds in the government or any sector would be dangerous for any individual, it will play a most important role in strengthening the country's economy and promoting good governance.
