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A human rights organisation, under the aegis of George Uboh Whistleblowers Network, on Monday advised President Bola Tinubu to direct law enforcement agencies to collaborate with whistleblowers in solving crimes and recovering stolen funds.
The organisation highlighted the significance of whistleblowers in exposing corruption and wrongdoing and emphasized the need to shield them from retaliation.
The Chairman of GUWN, Dr George Uboh, who canvassed the views during a press conference held at the Abuja council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, also revealed how he was arrested and detained for 101 days in 2019 after he exposed the Forex scam by the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
He, therefore, suggested the implementation and strengthening of the whistleblower policy, with the establishment of an independent office to safeguard and compensate whistleblowers.
Uboh commended President Bola Tinubu for his courage in arresting a partisan CBN governor whose unprecedented crimes against humanity, the Nigerian masses were many.
The activist also highlighted the importance of appointing a person with prior experience in whistleblowing to lead the office and protect whistleblowers from any adverse treatment.
Uboh said, “While the media is replete with reports of Emefiele’s corruption post-arrest, pre-arrest, however, no Nigerian dared criticise the Almighty Emefiele. George Uboh Whistleblowers Network (hereinafter GUWN) exposed Emefiele’s corruption regarding forex fraud of over US$3 billion via letters written to Emefiele on or about April 1, 2019
“On May 15, 2019, the day Emefiele appeared before the Senate for screening and clearance for his second tenure, I was arrested in my Maitama office. I was detained for 101 days for defamation of Emefiele’s rotten character. The then Chief Judge, FCT, Ishaq Bello refused to hear my bail application. DIG Mike Ogbizi verbally denied me bail after I fulfilled the administrative bail granted to me by his men at Force CID.
“We humbly request that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR direct law enforcement agencies to work with whistleblowers in order to solve crimes swifter, trace and recover mind-boggling funds stolen or trapped.
“Whistleblowers play a vital role in the fight against corruption, and it is crucial to protect them from adverse treatments and compensate them.”
