CHAPTER ONE
1.1.0
INTRODUCTION
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a
major step by initiating a whistle-blower policy. The Whistle Blower
Policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council in December 2016. The
policy was created by the Federal Ministry of Finance for whistle-blowers;
the goal of the policy is to support the fight against financial crimes and
corruption, by increasing exposure of financial crimes and rewarding
whistle-blowers. In order to promote such exposure, whistle-blowers are
encouraged and offered protection from harassment or intimidation from reported
persons and Government organizations.
1.1.1
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM-
Nigeria scored 28 points
out of 100 on the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency
International. Corruption Index in Nigeria averaged 20.17 Points from 1996
until 2016, reaching an all-time high of 28 Points in 2016 and a record low of
6.90 Points in 1996, with a high rate of corruption both in
the Public and Private sector in Nigeria, there is a need to build a platform
to enable reporting of mismanagement
of public funds and financial malpractice as well as encourage compliance with
financial regulations through the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF).
This
research work will provide a Whistle Blower Management System
capable of allowing the general public to report any misconduct, thief of
government property or inappropriate use of public funds and any form of
corruption. It will also aid proper storage and maintenance of reported
government officials to face charges based on the crime committed. Furthermore,
a whistleblower is expected to
submit his/ her information with evidence, if he has any, and with as much
precision and specifics as to dates, time, events and persons involved in order
to aid proper investigation.
1.1.2
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY-
This
web based application provides the following benefits:
i.
Creates and Publicizes the Whistle
blowing Policy of the Federal Government.
ii. Encourages
Reporting Stolen Government Funds and Properties.
iii. Fully automated database system for further
investigation of charges reported.
iv. Decrease
Corruption among Public and Private Government workers.
v. Increase
and Culture fear into governments workers for fear of being reported.
vi. Provides
authentic, qualitative and comprehensive data gotten from the whistle blower to
charge reporter persons’ to court.
1.1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF
STUDY
The project is to create a web based
application for reporting corrupt government officials and fighting corruption
in Nigeria, to bring corrupt government officials to face the full wrath of the
law and eliminate the tedious process of reporting corruption through the
normal conventional process of ‘paper and pen’ whistle blowing. The scope
covers the activities involved in acquiring enough evidence before blowing
whistle which will result in fighting corruption among government office
holders and the general public. The Limitation of this research work is, the
system will be available online and as such are inaccessible by many who don’t
have access to internet but have enough evidence to nail a corrupt official.
1.1.3 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Financial Crimes- are crimes against property, involving the unlawful conversion of the ownership of property (belonging to one person) to one's own personal use
and benefit.
Corruption - Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical
conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire
personal benefit. Corruption may include many activities
including bribery and embezzlement.
Intimidation - is the crime of
intentionally or knowingly putting another person in fear of bodily injury.
Public
Funds - is money that comes from the government, often through taxes,
that is used to help the public through goods and services.
1.1.5
REFERENCES
Nigeria’s
Whistle- blower policy. (December 26, 2016). Retrieved from http://punchng.com/nigerias-whistle-blower-policy/
Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, (6th ed.). (200). New York: Oxford University press.
Phillips,
O. Okolo. (2014). Corruption in Nigeria: The Possible Way Out. Bayelsa: Niger
Delta University Publishers.
The
Importance of Whistle Blowing. (June 29, 2010). Retrieved from http://www.astronsolutions.net/the-importance-of-whistle-blowing/