SERAP urges minister to recall sacked whistle-blower over alleged fraud

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has been urged to ensure the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Ntia Thompson the whistle-blower who was sacked for exposing an alleged $229,000 fraud in the ministry.

The request followed an open letter to the minister by Lagos-based rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday.

In the letter, the organisation urged Onyeama to “act swiftly to comply with the policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and international standards, which guarantee full protection and restitution for any whistle-blower against harassment, intimidation, victimisation or any form of retaliation.”

SERAP in the letter dated March 10, 2017 signed by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale said: “By sacking Mr. Thompson, your ministry would seem to shield information on the alleged fraud that the public has a right to know.

“Therefore, should you fail or neglect to act as requested within seven days after the receipt and publication of this letter, SERAP will be compelled to pursue appropriate legal action against your ministry to challenge the unfair treatment and victimisation of Mr. Thompson.”

The letter copied to the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, reads in part: “We also urge you to act swiftly to identify those involved in the alleged fraud and hand them over to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for further investigation and prosecution, as well as recover any stolen public funds.

“Impunity for reprisals against Thompson would send a message to all potential whistle-blowers that your ministry lacks the commitment to their protection.

“SERAP is seriously concerned that Thompson’s unfair treatment by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simply for disclosing alleged fraud is a fundamental violation of his right to freedom of expression and breach of President Buhari’s whistle-blowing policy, which seeks to protect individuals who make access to such allegations possible,” it added.