The Bill to establish the Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints Commission (SB 644), was read for the Second time in the Senate at the plenary session of Wednesday, 26 January 2021 and referred to the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes for further legislative action.
The Bill which is sponsored by Sen. Suleiman Abdu Kwari (APC: Kaduna), seeks to repeal the Public Complaints Commission Act, 1975, and to expand existing provisions to allow for Whistle Blowing. Leading the debate on the Bill, Sen. Kwari highlighted the provisions of the Bill to include the following:
- Parts 1 and 2 which makes provisions for the objectives of the Bill and the establishment of the Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints Commission (PIDCC).
- Part 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 which provides for the Management of Disclosures; the Office of the Chief Executive; Funds of the Commission; Procedures and Requirements for Disclosures, Protection and Complaints.
- Parts 8, 9, 10,11, 12, and 13 which deals with Referrals, Protection Programmes, Immunity, Rewards and Compensations
- Parts 14 and 15 which deals with Offences, Penalties and Procedures for Legal Proceedings.
According to Sen. Kwari, the Bill, if passed into law, will provide a legal and institutional framework for tackling the issues of corruption.
