Olumide Lawal
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to the Federal Government, urging the Apex Government to recall eight staff of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos that were sacked for exposing the shenanigan within the institution.
The names of the dismissed whistle-blowers are: Olugbenga Ibirogba; Charles Akharayi; Ayinde Bamide; Olusola Dada; Gbemisola Dada; Temilola Akinwunmi; Mopelola Ibitomi; and Adedeji Basiru.
The organization in a letter sent last Friday and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni , further appealed to Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, for immediate release and full implementation of the report submitted in 2015 by an Investigative Panel headed by Professor Idowu Awopetu that probed several petitions and allegations of corruption in the institution.
SERAP urged the minister to prevail on the Polytechnic Council to reinstate the whistle-blowers to their respective assignments within the school and their promotions and entitlements effected.
The organization in a letter sent last Friday and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni , further appealed to Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, for immediate release and full implementation of the report submitted in 2015 by an Investigative Panel headed by Professor Idowu Awopetu that probed several petitions and allegations of corruption in the institution.
“We are seriously concerned that the dismissed staff members have not been appropriately treated or protected by the Polytechnic authorities or Council to remedy the exposed threats or harm to them. No whistle-blower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure.
According to the letter, SERAP strongly believes that every individual should feel safe to freely raise public interest concerns, just as the above-mentioned staff members have done in disclosing information on alleged corruption, fraud and unlawful enrichment in the Polytechnic.
“SERAP believes that retaliation or victimisation of whistle-blowers should not under any circumstances or anywhere be tolerated, especially under the watch of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, which has been at the forefront of the anti-corruption crusade.”
“Encouraging whistle-blowers to speak up improves public services and strengthens public accountability. By terminating the appointment of these staff members, SERAP believes that the authorities of YABATECH have acted improperly or attempted to cover up the alleged corruption and fraud rather than promptly addressing it.”
“SERAP also believes that the information being disclosed by these whistleblowers can contribute to strengthening transparency and accountability in the Institution in particular and the country as a whole. The termination of the appointment of these staff members amounts to retaliation. Their status as a whistle-blower is not diminished even if the perceived threat to the public interest has not materialised, since they would seem to have reasonable grounds to believe in the accuracy of the disclosures on alleged corruption and fraud in the Institution.”
“SERAP argues that whistleblowing is very important in deterring and preventing corruption, and in strengthening democratic accountability and transparency in the country in general. Whistleblowing is indeed a fundamental aspect of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience and is important in tackling gross mismanagement of our commonwealth. Whistleblowing can act as an early warning to prevent damage as well as detect wrongdoing that may otherwise remain hidden.”
“Further, whistleblowing can help ensure the effective compliance with Nigeria’s international anticorruption obligations and commitments by allowing those legally responsible for the alleged misconduct the opportunity to address the problem and to account for themselves, and by more readily identifying those who may be liable for any damage caused.”
