The Zonal Commissioner, North-Central Zone of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Patrick Chilezie Ogwuegbu has said that, the whistle-blowing policy introduced by the Federal Government was a roadmap to greater success in the anti-corruption campaign.
Mr. Ogwuegbu stated this at a one-day symposium recently organised to sensitize staff of National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kogi State.
According to him, “The policy’s objective was to ensure corrupt persons and officials in government that loot public funds are exposed and prosecuted.”
He added that the policy was put in place to ensure that corruption, financial crimes and other related offences were brought to the barest minimum through the reward system put in place to compensate whistle-blowers.
“Utilise the system and report any unethical act by any employee even at the top management level of the institution,” the Commissioner charged.
Speaking on the protection and reward system of whistle-blowers, the ICPC Zonal Head, assured that the identity of whistle-blowers shall be protected as provided under the Whistle-Blower Protection Policy.
“The policy provides that if the government is able to recover stolen or concealed assets through information provided by a whistle-lower, he/she may be entitled to between 2.5% to 5% of amount recovered”, he added.
He further stressed the need for the staff to be transparent and accountable in discharging their official duties in the workplace.
He mentioned that NOA as a major stakeholder in the whistle-blowing policy could also rely on the Commission to disclose any information bordering on corruption and financial crimes.