Senate Passes Bill To Protect Whistle-Blowers
The Senate on Thursday passed a bill to protect whistleblowers and witnesses in the prosecution of criminal cases.
The bill, titled Witness Protection Programme (Establishment etc), SB 157, was passed, following a report submitted by the committee on human rights, legal matters and judiciary chaired by David Umaru of the APC, Niger State.
The bill was sponsored by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, in 2016. The Osun West APC senator died in April 2017.
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Adeleke had last year during the second reading of the bill said a law protecting witnesses was usually required in the prosecution of organised crimes like terrorism.
According to him, the bill if passed into law would allow witnesses wear masks, bear pseudo names and receive protection from authorities.
Following the passage of the bill, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, thanked the lawmakers for the bill, which according to him was in honour of the late Adeleke.
The bill will now go to the House of Representatives, before being sent to the President for signing.
