The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned against unauthorized disclosure or leakage of official documents. It warned that any leakage of official document capable of impacting the country negatively, is a punishable offence.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, on Tuesday in Abuja.
He made the declaration at a workshop organized by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in collaboration with the Office of the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The workshop is themed: “Renewing hope and strengthening of national unity through effective communication and the role of the Official Secret Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security.’’
The SGF who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, said unauthorized leakage of sensitive official document constitutes felony. He warned that there is no defence for such, either in the Constitution or Freedom of Information Act.
Recall that Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, provides: “Any person who, being employed in the public service, without proper authority, abstracts, or makes a copy of, any document the property of his employer is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year”.
The SGF recalled that government had previously devised measures to contain the leakage of sensitive official information in MDAs. This, it had done through the issuance of service-wide circulars by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in August 2021.
He said, “This was reinforced by the issuance of another service-wide circular in February 2024 on the unauthorized circulation of official documents with information on social media.
“This was done to re-emphasize other extant regulations prohibiting unauthorized disclosure or leakage of official documents.
“There is the need to regulate the activities of the Civil Society Organizations. Who use the Freedom of Information Act to harass, intimidate and siphon resources from public officers through the dissemination of fake and unfounded information.
“This should be properly addressed by all the practitioners in the communication and related industries.’’
Akume, therefore, commended the BPSR for organizing the workshop. He said it underlines the importance government places on the dissemination of correct and truthful information.
In his remark, the Director-General of Bureau, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, urged participants to equip themselves with the Official Secrets Act. He stated that they should effectively communicate government policies and programmes to the public.
“Your role as communication managers in MDAs is crucial, especially in our increasingly complex information ecosystem.
“In today’s environment, communications and platforms are highly fragmented. The Government cannot afford to be reactive.
“It must lead the communication landscape to prevent misinformation. And ensure that citizens are all informed about the activities, and objectives of government. The benefits of its policies and programmes to the citizens of the country.
“Accurate and prompt information delivery is essential. And it cannot be compromised as its impact on service delivery and governance is profound,” he stated.
Arabi, however, tasked the communication managers to take advantage of the training. He urged them to use the traditional and social media platforms to ensure the public is well informed about government initiatives, programmes and services.
source: Vanguard
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