The Ministry of Finance has so far received 2,351 tips from ‘whistle blowers’ bordering on cases of embezzlement of government funds, looting of assets and contract inflation, among others, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.
The whistleblower scheme which was introduced by the Federal Government late last year is meant to encourage Nigerians report cases of corruption known to them.
Mr Festus Akanbi, the Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in a statement, said last night in a statement that the tips came via text messages, calls, email and forms filled on the ministry’s website.
“We have received 95 feedbacks through our website, www.whistle.finance.gov.ng, 1,550 tips came through calls on 09098067946 and SMS, 412.
“Also, 194 people sent us emails on whistle@finance.gov.ng)
He said that out of the 2,351 tips, the office was currently following up on 154, it deemed actionable.
“Some of the tips include: contract inflation and conversion of government assets to personal use, ghost workers, payment of unapproved funds and embezzlement of salaries of terminated personnel.
“Also, improper reduction of financial penalties, diversion of funds meant for distribution to a particular group of people, especially farmers and diversion of funds to personal commercial bank accounts to earn interest.
“Furthermore, we are following up on cases of non-remittance of pension and NHIS deductions, failure to Implement projects for which funds have been provided, embezzlement of funds received from Donor agencies and violation of TSA regulations by keeping funds in Commercial banks.
“We are also looking into violations of FIRS (VAT) regulation by adjusting Value Added Tax payment, non-procurement of equipment required for Aviation Safety, money laundering and diversion of funds meant for approved projects,” he said.
Akanbi said that top on the Minister’s agenda, as the Chairman of the Whistleblower programme was to investigate illegal sale of government assets, diversion of revenue (IGR), concealed bailout funds, Illegal recruitment and violation of procurement Act.
It will be recalled that late last year, the Federal Government set up the Whistleblower programme to make it easy for the public to give information bordering on violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets and other financial malpractice.
The Federal Government promised any whistleblower whose information leads to the recovery of up to N1 billion Naira, five per cent of the amount.
While for any amount between N1 billion and N5 billion, the whistleblower stands to get 4 per cent commission. Any amount over N5 billion, will attract 2.5 per cent reward.
Mr Akanbi’s statement gives a breakdown on the manner and nature of the reports received as follows:
WHISTLEBLOWER UPDATE (as at 24th March, 2017)
I. TOTAL COMMUNICATION RECEIVED – 2,251
Communication includes enquiries, tips, compliments and general advice from the public.
a. Website (www.whistle.finance.gov.ng) – 95
b. Calls – (09098067946) – 1,550
c. SMS – 412
d. Emails ( whistle@finance.gov.ng) – 194
II. TOTAL NUMBER OF TIPS RECEIVED – 282
a. Tips received through Calls – 49
b. Tips received through SMS – 87
c. Tips received through Website – 95
d. Tips received through E-mail – 51
III. ACTIONABLE TIPS RECEIVED – 154
Some of the tip types include:
i. Contract Inflation and Conversion of Government Assets to Personal use
ii. Ghost workers
iii. Payment of unapproved funds
iv. Embezzlement of salaries of terminated personnel
v. Improper reduction of financial penalties
vi. Diversion of Funds meant for distribution to a particular group of people (farmers)
vii. Diversion of funds to personal commercial Bank Accounts to earn interest
viii. Non-Remittance of Pension & NHIS Deductions
ix. Failure to Implement projects for which funds have been provided
x. Embezzlement of funds received from Donor agencies
xi. Embezzlement of funds meant for payment of Personnel emoluments
xii. Violation of TSA regulations by keeping funds in Commercial banks
xiii. Violation of FIRS (VAT) regulation by adjusting Value Added Tax payment
xiv. Non-procurement of equipment required for Aviation Safety
xv. Money laundering and Diversion of funds meant for approved projects
xvi. Illegal Sale of Government Assets
xvii. Diversion of Revenue (IGR)
xviii. Financial misappropriations (embezzlement)
xix. Concealed bailout funds
xx. Mismanagement of Microfinance banks
xxi. Illegal Recruitments
xxii. Violation of procurement Act
SA Media to Honourable Minister of Finance
Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja
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