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The FG has recovered N7.8bn, $378m, £27,880 from whistleblowers – Kemi Adeosun

The Federal Government yesterday said it recovered a total of N7.8 billion, $378 million, and 27,000 pounds through the whistle-blower policy. The whistle-blower policy was introduced sometime in 2016, to enable persons with information on looted funds, to disclose same to authorities, with rewards and protection.

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, made the disclosure in Abuja, at an evaluation workshop organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC). Adeosun, who was represented by Dr. Dikwa, further disclosed that since the whistle-blower policy was introduced, the Federal Government had received 8, 373 enquiries, even as 1, 231 tips were got. “The Federal Government has…recovered directly, as a result of tips received from whistleblowers, the sum of $7.8 billion, US$378 million and 27, 800 Pounds respectively,” Adeosun said.

The minister said: “The whistleblower policy has been well received and since its introduction in December 2016, we have received 8, 373 enquiries and 1, 231 tips. We have also carried out 791 investigations and completed 534 of those investigations.” Meanwhile, as part of measures to improve on the policy, the minister noted that efforts were on to review its investigative framework. She said: “…  we will begin to focus more on preventive measures, putting in place tight control measures, making it more difficult for a few people to take away assets that belong to an entire country. In addition to this, the investigation framework of the whistleblower policy will be reviewed.”

In his remarks, Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said: “A lot of assets have been recovered as a result of the activities of whistleblowers.” While noting that five per cent of whatever amount was recovered remained the maximum reward for now, Sagay maintained that not all whistleblowers were entitled to rewards.

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