TheCable

The Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will prosecute whistleblowers who mislead the agency through false information.

Abdurasheed Bawa, EFCC chairman, gave the warning in a statement signed by Wilson Uwujaren, the agency’s spokesman, on Friday.

The whistleblower policy is an anti-corruption programme that was launched in December 2016. It encourages individuals to report cases of financial mismanagement or stolen funds.

Bawa said despite due diligence by the EFCC, scarce investigative resources have been wasted by the agency in following up false leads.

He said the activities of false whistle blowers “detract from the noble intendment of the Whistblower Policy of the Federal Government which seeks to incentivise information leading to the recovery of stolen wealth”.

The EFCC chairman vowed that the agency will not hesitate to prosecute any whistle blower who willfully provides the agency with false information.

He said the commission will continue to work with genuine whistleblowers to recover assets and other stolen funds.

Bawa advised genuine informants to be cautious and ensure that they have accurate information before engaging with the agency.

He added that the directorate of intelligence, which was recently created, will henceforth ensure that all information received by the EFCC is subjected to rigorous due diligence before action is taken.