Leak Official Documents, Risk Jail – FG Warns
ABUJA – The Federal Government has issued a stern warning against the unauthorized disclosure or leakage of official documents, emphasizing that such actions are punishable offenses under Nigerian law. This warning was delivered by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), during 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, themed “Renewing Hope and Strengthening National Unity through Effective Communication and the Role of the Official Secret Acts in Maintaining Confidentiality and National Security,” highlighted the critical importance of maintaining confidentiality within government operations.
Key Points:
- Legal Consequences: Akume, represented by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, reiterated that the unauthorized leakage of sensitive official documents constitutes a felony. He noted that Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria stipulates that any public service employee who, without proper authority, abstracts or copies any document belonging to their employer is guilty of a misdemeanor and liable to one year’s imprisonment.
- Past Measures: The government has previously taken measures to curb the leakage of sensitive information in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through service-wide circulars issued in August 2021 and reinforced in February 2024. These regulations aim to prevent the unauthorized circulation of official documents and information on social media.
- Regulation of Civil Society Organizations: Akume highlighted the need to regulate civil society organizations that misuse the Freedom of Information Act to harass and intimidate public officers by disseminating false and unfounded information.
Workshop Highlights:
- BPSR’s Role: Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of BPSR, urged participants to familiarize themselves with the Official Secrets Act and to effectively communicate government policies and programs to the public. He emphasized the crucial role of communication managers in MDAs in preventing misinformation and ensuring citizens are well-informed about government activities and benefits.
- Communication Strategy: Arabi stressed that the government must lead the communication landscape proactively to maintain accuracy and prevent misinformation. He encouraged communication managers to utilize traditional and social media platforms to inform the public about government initiatives, programs, and services.
The workshop underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of official documents and ensuring accurate communication of its policies and programs. The government’s proactive stance aims to foster national unity and public trust through effective information dissemination.
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