Coalition seeks federal civil service authorities to guard whistleblower

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The Coalition for Whistleblower Safety and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has referred to as on the Federal Civil Service to guard a whistleblower, Richard Oghenerhoro, who uncovered an alleged employment rip-off within the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Abuja.

The decision got here on the heels of the reported disciplinary motion taken towards Mr Oghenerhoro for uncovering the pretend employment and making his findings public.

The whistleblower was discovered responsible of misconduct, breach of oath of secrecy, unauthorised disclosure of official data and copying of official paperwork, opposite to the provisions of the Public Service Guidelines, in accordance with Punch newspaper.

The rule advisable termination of appointment or compelled retirement for the offences.

“CWPPF has taken up circumstances of victimisation of whistleblowers over time and we definitely demand that Mr Oghenehoro be protected, reinstated, and appreciated for exposing irregularities and weak employment information programs within the Federal Civil Service quite than give attention to the petition,” the coalition’s assertion issued on Thursday learn partially.

It mentioned the motion taken towards Mr Oghenerhoro contradicted the anti-corruption posturing of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“You’ll assume {that a} authorities that lays a lot emphasis on combating corruption could be appreciative of residents who’re keen to reveal irregularities and corruption within the public curiosity,” the assertion by 18 members of the coalition, together with Premium Occasions, reads partially.

The coalition mentioned Mr Oghenerhoro is “one amongst quite a few circumstances of violations and stigmatisation of whistleblowers for the reason that coverage was launched by the Federal Authorities in 2016 as a technique to curb corruption in Nigeria”.

It added: “Whistleblowing is a crucial software for combating corruption. Mr Oghenehoro’s disclosure is well timed and vital contemplating the latest report about delisting 70,000 ghost staff within the Federal Civil Service.”

Members of the coalition embody media homes, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and civil society organisations involved with anti-corruption and free media.

A few of them are Premium Occasions, OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, The Cable, Every day Belief Newspaper, Worldwide Press Institute, Nigeria; Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Improvement (CJID) and African Centre for Media & Data Literacy (AFRICMIL).

The remainder are Civic Media Lab

Civil Society Community In opposition to Corruption (CSNAC) Worldwide Centre for, Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Worldwide Press Centre (IPC), Worldwide Press Institute, Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), NUJ, Paradigm Initiative, Socio-Financial Rights and Accountability Venture (SERAP), and HEDA Assets Centre.

Learn Coalition’s Full Assertion:

COALITION CALLS ON THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE TO PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWER

11 August 2022 The Coalition for Whistleblower Safety and Press Freedom (CWPPF) calls on the Federal Civil Service to guard whistleblower, Richard Oghenerhoro.

The CWPPF regards the disciplinary motion towards the petitioner, Mr Richard Oghenerhoro, for breach of oath of secrecy, and unauthorised disclosure of official data, as a risible try and stifle freedom of expression and a complete disregard for the 2016 whistleblowers coverage.

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That is one amongst quite a few circumstances of violations and stigmatisation of whistleblowers for the reason that coverage was launched by the Federal Authorities in 2016 as a technique to curb corruption in Nigeria.

Whistleblowing is a crucial software for combating corruption. Mr Oghenehoro’s disclosure is well timed and vital contemplating the latest report about delisting 70,000 ghost staff within the Federal Civil Service.

You’ll assume {that a} authorities that lays a lot emphasis on combating corruption could be appreciative of residents who’re keen to reveal irregularities and corruption within the public curiosity.

CWPPF has taken up circumstances of victimisation of whistleblowers over time and we definitely demand that Mr Oghenehoro be protected, reinstated, and appreciated for exposing irregularities and weak employment information programs within the Federal Civil Service quite than give attention to the petition.

CWPPF condemns the disciplinary actions towards Mr Oghenehoro and requires the speedy withdrawal of the punitive actions. This may enhance residents’ confidence in reporting irregularities that put the nation at risk.

We will proceed to oppose all types of assaults on human rights and press freedom in Nigeria and internationally and maintain the federal government, people, and organizations accountable.

We will proceed to take the required measures to forestall violence towards journalists and media staff and we may even fiercely demand accountability and convey perpetrators of crimes towards journalists and media staff to justice.

CWPPF Secretariat

The Coalition for Whistleblower Safety and Press Freedom (CWPPF)is a bunch of media and civil society organisations dedicated to upholding democracy and good governance by defending the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.