Lack of Protection for Whistleblowers at the Workplace in Nigeria: Drawing Lessons from Selected Jurisdictions

Authors

David Tarh-Akong Eyongndi
Faith Nwayemogho Opara

Abstract

The Nigerian government has created anti-corruption agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), to contend with corruption. In 2015, the Federal Ministry of Finance introduced the whistleblowing policy. The policy enables corrupt practices in any workplace, either private or public, to be exposed. However, following the policy, there is no legal framework for the implementation nor protection of the whistleblower. This article adopts doctrinal and comparative methodology to examine the utilitarian values and the propriety of whistleblowing vis-à-vis the employee’s obligation to act in good faith under Nigeria’s labor jurisprudence. It relies on primary and secondary data. It discusses the challenges confronting whistleblowing at the workplace in Nigeria. It also examines the practice in Britain, India, South Africa, and Ghana to be compared with Nigeria. It reveals that whistleblowing is an effective tool to combat corruption/malpractices in the workplace. Unlike in Britain, India, South Africa, and Ghana, there is no specific legislation on whistleblowing in Nigeria. It recommends awareness on the need of Nigerians’ active participation in whistleblowing and enactment of a subject-specific law to protect whistleblowing and whistleblowers as in ones in Britain, India, South Africa, and Ghana.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22304/pjih.v9n3.a7

Recommended Citation

Eyongndi, David Tarh-Akong and Opara, Faith Nwayemogho (2022) "Lack of Protection for Whistleblowers at the Workplace in Nigeria: Drawing Lessons from Selected Jurisdictions," Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law): Vol. 9: No. 3, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22304/pjih.v9n3.a7
Available at: https://journal.unpad.ac.id/pjih/vol9/iss3/2

References

Books

Atilola, Bimbo. Recent Development in Nigerian Labour Law. Lagos: Hybrid Consult Ltd., 2017.

Chioma, Kanu Agomo. Nigerian Employment and Labour Relations Law and Practice. Lagos: Concept Publications Ltd., 2011.

Kupoluyi, Akintunde. “Whistle-Blowing Using ICT: Why the Whistle may not Blow in Nigeria.” In Babcock University Essays on Contemporary Legal Issues, 2nd Ed., edited by IO Agbede and A Arowolo. Babcock University: School of Law and Security Studies, 2018.

Ogunniyi, Oladosun. Nigerian Labour and Employment Law in Perspective. Lagos: Folio Publishers Ltd., 2004.

Oji, Elizabeth Ama and Offornze David Amucheazi. Employment and Labour Law in Nigeria. Lagos: Mbeyi and Associates (Nig.) Ltd., 2015.

Uvieghara, Edgerton E. Labour Law in Nigeria. Ibadan: Malthouse Press Ltd., 2001.

Other Documents

Choudhary, Abhishek. “Whistle Blowing Policy in India – Challenges and Suggested Reforms.” International Journal of Research in Engineering, IT and Social Science 9, no. 3 (2019): 171-181.

Onuorah, Anastasia Chi-Chi and Ebimobowei Appah. “Accountability and Public Sector Financial Management in Nigeria,” Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 1, no. 6 (2012): 1-17.

Okereke, Don. “Nigeria’s Whistleblowing Policy: Urgent Case for Whistle Blowers Protection Law.” Accessed June 20, 2022. https://thenigerialawyer.com/nigerias-whistleblowing-policy-urgent-case-for-whistle-blowers-protection-law/.

Eyongndi, Gladys and John Ebokpo. “The Employer’s Unshifting Duty to Provide Work: Nigerian Labour Law through the Eyes of Chinonye Amanze v. Union Bank.” The Gravitas Review of Business and Property Law 12, no. 4 (2021): 25-34.

Keenan, John P. “Comparing Indian and American Managers on Whistleblowing.” Employees Responsibilities and Rights Journal 14, no. (2-3):79-89. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021171520620

Chamberlain, Jonathan and Connie Cliff. “Public Interest Disclosures: Workplace Whistleblowing in the UK.” Accessed April 15, 2022. https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w018959?transitionType=Defau&contextData=(sc.Default)&firstPage=tru

Bhargava, Nimisha and Mani K Madala. “An Overview of Whistleblowing: Indian Perspective.” International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology 4, no. 2 (2015): 334-339.

Ajayi, Omeiza. “Whistleblowing: 5yrs after Nigerians still afraid of reporting corruption, FG laments.” Accessed June 22, 2022. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/whistleblowing-5yrs-after-nigerians-still-afraid-of-reporting-corruption-fg-laments/

Puri, Rajeev, Ruchi Trehan, and Hashima Kakkar. “Corporate Governance through Audit Committee: A Study of the Indian Corporate Sector.” The ICFAI University Journal of Corporate Governance 9, no. 1-2 (2010): 47-98. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1540364

Dhawan, Shivagi and Anupret Kaur Mokha. “Whistle Blowing: Facing Challenges in India.” Asian Journal of Management 8, no. 3 (2017): 635-641.

Ogbu, Silk Ugwu. “Whistleblowing Policy as a Mechanism for Energizing the War against Corruption in Nigeria.” International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies 3, no. 4 (2017): 16-32.

Ifejika, Solomon I. “The Need for statutory protection for Whistleblowers in Nigeria.” Journal of Anti-Corruption Law 3, no. 1 (2019): 56-75.

Taiwo, Sunday Felix. “Effects of Whistleblowing Practices on Organisational Performance in the Nigerian Public Sector: Empirical facts from Selected Local Governments in Lagos and Ogun State.” Journal of Marketing and Management 6, no. 1 (2015): 41-61.

Wolf, Baldin & Associates P.C. “An Employee’s Duty of Loyalty to an Employer in Pennsylvania.” Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.wolfbaldwin.com/articles/employment-articles/an-employees-duty-of-loyalty-to-an-employer/

Legal Documents

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap. C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board v Ferguson UKEAT/0044/13.

Abukugho v African Timbers and Plywood Ltd. (A. T. & P) (1966) 2 All N. L. R. 87.

Anslem Osakwe v Nigeria Paper Mills Ltd. [1998] 10 NWLR (Pt. 568) 1 at 13.

Asaolu v Olaiya Fagbemigbe Ltd. & Anor. (1982) 1 F. N. R. 88.

Bell v. Lever Brothers Ltd. (1932) A.C. 161.

Britain Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

Britain, the Employment Right Act (ERA) 1996.

British Reinforced Concrete Co. Ltd. v. Lind (1917) 116 L. T. 243.

British Syphon Co. Ltd. v Homewood (1956) 1 W.L.R. 1190.

Clyde & Co LLP v Bates van Winkelhof, [2014] UKSC 32).

Collier v Sunday Referees Publishing Co. [1941] 2 KB 647.

CWU v Mobile Telephone Networks (Pty) Ltd (2003 BLLR 741 (LC) 747a-b).

Day v Health Education England, Public Concern at Work (intervener) and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (interested party) [2017] IRLR 623.

Discovery Health Limited v CCMA (2008 ILJ 1480 (LC) 1494.

Dododo v The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) & Ors [2013] 1 NWLR (Pt 1336) 468 CA.

Fajemirokun v Commercial Bank Nig Ltd & Anor [2009] 5 NWLR (Pt 1135) 588 SC.

Fecitt and ors v NHS Manchester [2011] EWCA Civ 1190.

Gartside v Outram [1856] 26 LJ Ch. 113, 114, 116.

Ghana Whistleblower Act, No. 720 of 2006.

Greer J in Wessex Dairies Ltd. v Smith (1935) 2 KB 80, 84.

Grieve v Denel (Pty) Ltd 2003 4 BLLR 366 (LC) 368g).

Hivac Ltd. v Park Royal Scientific Instruments Ltd. (1964) 1 All E.R. 350.

India Companies Act of 2013.

India Whistleblowing Protection Act, 2013.

Initial Services Ltd. v Putterill and Another [1968] QB 396.

International Petroleum Ltd v Osipov UKEAT/0058/17/DA and UKEAT/0229/16/DA.

Lingard v HM Prison Service ET/1802862/04).

McTigue v University Hospital Bristol NHS Foundation Trust [2016] IRLR 742.

Mr. Olu Ibirogba v The Council, Federal Polytechnic, Yaba [2015] 63 N.L.L.R. (Pt. 223) 343.

Niselow v Liberty Life Association of Africa Ltd (1998 ILJ 752 (SCA).

Pam Golding Properties (Pty) Ltd v Erasmus (2010 ILJ 1460 (LC).

P. O. Mahah v Standard Bank (Nig.) Ltd. (1976) 6 ECSLR 199.

Putterill and Another [1968] QB 396.

Republic of South Africa Companies Act No. 71 of 2008.

Republic of South Africa Protected Disclosures Act No. 26 of 2000.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust v. Watkinson UKEAT/0378/10/DM.

Sterling Engineering Co. Ltd. v Patchett (1955) A. C. 534.

Street v Derbyshire Unemployed Workers' Centre [2004] IRLR 687 (CA).

Swain v. West (Butchers) Ltd. (1936) 3 All E.R. 261.

Taliet Sule v Nigeria Cotton Board (1985) ANLR 291; Charles Udegbunam v. Federal Capital Development Authority (2003) 30 WRN 111.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Republic of South Africa Labour Relations Act No. 66 of 1995.

Trustees of Mama East African Women's Group v Dobson Trustees of Mama East African Women's Group UKEAT/0219/05.

Van Niekerk AJ in Discovery Health Limited v CCMA (2008 ILJ 1480 (LC) 1494.

Virgo Fidelis Senior School v. Boyle UKEAT/0644/03. In Local Government Yorkshire and Humber v Shah UKEAT/0026/12.

Wessex Dairies Ltd. v Smith (1935) 2 KB 80, 84.

Woodward v Abbey National Plc. (No. 1) 2006 ICR 1436.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22304/pjih.v9n3.a7