A new bill that will impose a seven-year jail term or a N5 m fine on anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting bribes in workplaces in Nigeria has been mooted by the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency) and three others, the new law, which will be deliberated on when the House resumes on June 17, aims to checkmate inherent bribery and corruption in both public and private workplaces.

A copy of the bill, whichh is already circulating among media organizations, states that “the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of anything of value as an inducement or reward to influence the actions of an employee, officer, or agent in the workplace.” Under the proposed law, anyone who offers or gives a bribe “in cash, gifts, favours, or other benefits” to influence an official action will be liable, upon conviction, to a fine of not less than N5m or three times the value of the bribe, whichever is higher, and/or imprisonment for at least seven years.

The bill also proposes immediate dismissal from public service and a 15-year ban from holding elective or appointive office if a public officer is convicted of bribery. Also, corporate organisations guilty of the same offence risk N100m, while their directors or responsible officers will be prosecuted and face minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, if found guilty.

Companies convicted of workplace bribery may also lose their operating licences and face a 10-year ban from public procurement contracts., The bill also includees whistleblower protections, mandating all workplaces to implement anti-bribery policies and anonymous reporting channels. It criminalises retaliation against whistleblowers, imposing a minimum N10m fine and a five-year jail term on employers or individuals who harass or victimise them.

Employers are therefore compelled to report any form of bribery within their organisation or face a minimum fine of N20m and/or five years’ imprisonment.

More importantly, the creation of the Workplace Anti-Bribery Unit under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is also being mooted to investigate workplace bribery, prosecute offenders, monitor compliance and drive enforcement. It also advocates full protection for whistleblowers within every organizations. (The Guardian)