By Lucky Isibor
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called the full Operationalisation and strengthening of the whistleblowing and asset recovery frameworks at the sub-national level to realise its potential in anti-corruption war.
The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor made the call in his welcome address at a one day Stakeholders’ Dialogue Session on “Stepping Down the Whistleblowing and Asset Recovery and Management Framework” at the sub-national levels held in Benin on Tuesday, 25 November.
Ugolor who was represented at the event by ANEEJ Programme Manager, Innocent Edemhanria, pointed out that the dialogue session was organized by the nation’s foremost anti-corruption advocates as part of the implementation of the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti Corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) project.
According to him, the CASARN project is a one-year project implemented under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC Il) project.
“The RoLAC II project is being implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) with funding support from the European Union.
“Since the introduction of the Whistleblowing Policy and the Asset Recovery & Management Framework by the Federal Government, Nigeria has made meaningful progress in exposing corruption, recovering stolen assets, and strengthening public trust in accountability mechanisms.
“The establishment of the Asset Recovery and Management Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice and the enactment of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act (POCA) 2022 are significant steps that have improved the coordination and legal clarity around asset recovery.
“However, as we all know, these gains remain fragile. Implementation gaps, weak institutional protections for whistleblowers, limited awareness among citizens, and the absence of harmonised structures at state level continue to undermine the full potential of these reforms.
“Many whistleblowers still fear retaliation, many citizens remain unsure about reporting channels and several institutions lack the capacity or clarity required to manage recovered assets transparently” he said.
Ugolor appreciated ANEEJ partners, including the Edo State Government, the ICPC, EFCC, Federal Ministry of Justice, civil society organisations, the media, and all stakeholders represented, saying “Your participation demonstrates a shared commitment to deepening transparency and improving governance in Edo State.
We are grateful to to RoLAC team, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the European Union for the opportunity to implement this project “.
This reality underscores why we are gathered here today, ANEEJ boss noted, pointing out that Edo State has taken important strides in promoting transparency and public financial integrity.
“Inspite of that, the full benefits of whistleblowing and asset recovery frameworks cannot be realised unless they are deliberately adapted, strengthened, and operationalised at the sub-national level.
“States are closest to the people and states manage procurement, budgeting, service delivery, and frontline governance.
“Therefore, if whistleblowing must work for ordinary’ citizens, it must work at the state level and if asset recovery must produce real development outcomes, then state institutions must have the capacity and systems to manage recovered assets responsibly.
“Today’s dialogue brings together the right actors from government officials, anti-corruption agencies, civil society, the media, and the academia to reflect critically on what has been achieved, identify the barriers that persist, and chart practical strategies for making whistleblowing and asset recovery truly functional in Edo State”.
While noting that the objectives of the dialogue session was to “To review the current national framework and what it means for state-level adaptation;” Ugolor noted that it is meant, “To review the current national framework and what it means for state-level adaptation;
“To examine the legal, institutional, and societal barriers that discouragement reporting, To strengthen collaboration among agencies responsible for whistleblowing and asset recovery and to develop a roadmap for mainstreaming these frameworks into Edo State’s accountability architecture.
“At ANEEJ, we strongly believe that corruption cannot be fought by institutions alone. It requires citizens who are confident to report wrongdoing, systems that protect them when they do, and governments that act decisively on the information provided.
“This is why we remain committed to advancing whistleblowing as a citizen-led accountability tool and to supporting reforms that make asset recovery processes more transparent, efficient, and development-focused.
“Our goal is simple but critical: to build a coordinated, inclusive and sustainable accountability mechanism that empowers citizens, strengthens institutions, and ensures recovered assets are properly managed for public good.
“| am optimistic that the diverse expertise represented in this room from government ministries, anti-corruption agencies, academia, civil society and the media will generate actionable recommendations that will shape state-level reforms” he further declared.
In a goodwill message, an Assistant Commissioner in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Odogwu Preye who represented the Commission noted that extending the whistleblowing and asset recovery and management framework to sub-national levels will ensure that corruption is tackled at all levels of government.
While pointing out more gains of the policy at the sub-national levels, the ICPC Assistant Commissioner also made recommendations to strengthen anti-corruption at the sub-national levels
“Whistleblowing and asset recovery are crucial tools in the fight against corruption. By extending these frameworks to sub-national levels, we can ensure that corruption is tackled at all levels of government.
“Sub-national implementation will enhance citizen participation, promote accountability, and ensure that recovered assets are utilized for the benefit of local communities.
“Effective implementation requires robust institutional frameworks, capacity building, and protection for whistleblowers.
“Collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and citizens, is essential for the success of these initiatives.
“Develop clear guidelines and frameworks for whistleblowing and asset recovery at the sub-national level.
“Provide capacity-building programs for stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and citizens.
“Ensure effective protection for whistleblowers and witnesses.
“Foster collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders”.
In a paper presented at the dialogue by Mr. Felix Ota-Okojie, titled, “An Overview of the Whistleblowing Policy, 2016 – Achievements and Challenges”, he enumerated the issues that the whistleblowing policy and assets recovery and management covers, and appealed that whistleblowers should not make false or malicious disclosure to achieve a personal gain as such persons may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
“The policy provides elaborate issues or concerns that the policy deals with in the public interest. These includes:
breach of government’s financial laws and regulations,
mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets, stolen public funds; concealed public funds, fraud or corrupting or theft, collecting or soliciting bribe; violation of single treasuring account (TSA), diversions of revenues,
under reporting of revenues, non-remittance or late remittance of revenue, unapproved expenditure, undocumented expenditure, improper conduct”.