Nigerian government approves whistle blowing against human traffickers

Nigerian government has approved a whistle blowing policy for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Head of Public Relations, Josiah Emerole, in a statement, said that the approval was conveyed to NAPTIP’s Director-General, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, by the Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN).

He noted that the inclusion of human trafficking cases into the whistle blowing policy had remained one of the cardinal plans of the new director-general since she assumed office late April.
The spokesperson said that it became imperative because many cases of human trafficking had not been tackled because those who were aware of such incidences never reported to NAPTIP and other relevant agencies.
“The approval is contained in a letter dated 7th August, 2017, and addressed to the Director-General of NAPTIP.
“The Director (Solicitors Department) Z. S Adevanju, conveyed the approval on behalf of the Hon. Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to Okah-Donli.

“It stated that the approval was given based on the fact that the request by NAPTIP for the inclusion of Human Trafficking cases in the whistle blowing policy of the present administration was not in conflict with any extant law,” he stated.
Emerole noted that with the latest development, anybody can now give verifiable information on any case of human trafficking, including on the assets of human traffickers for possible confiscation through legal proceedings.
He quoted the director-general as expressing excitement on the development, adding that with the approval, the coast has become clearer for informants to come up with verifiable information on traffickers.