By Joy Baba-Yesufu
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has praised Dr. Ishaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, for reinstating Abraham Taiwo Joseph, a senior accountant at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN).
Joseph was dismissed in September 2021 after raising concerns about abuses of office and other illegal practices within the institute.
In a press statement, Dr. Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, stated, “The Minister made the right judgment by directing that the whistleblower be returned to his job. We commend him for this decision, as it promotes transparency and accountability in public institutions.”
The statement noted that Joseph faced three years without employment, enduring police harassment, threats to his life, and a frivolous lawsuit initiated by the former head of FRIN, Professor Adepoju Olusola. To reclaim his position, Joseph challenged his dismissal at the National Industrial Court. While the case was underway, Dr. Salako facilitated an in-house resolution, leading Joseph to withdraw his lawsuit.
Following the withdrawal, an investigative committee was formed, which subsequently cleared Joseph of any wrongdoing and prompted the Minister to order his reinstatement.
The statement referenced a letter signed by Umasabor Omoh on behalf of the Minister, directing the Director-General/CEO of FRIN to calculate and pay all entitlements due to Joseph from September 2021 to the present.
While expressing satisfaction with Joseph’s recall, AFRICMIL expressed concern regarding his reassignment to a more remote branch of FRIN in Idi-Ayunre. They described this move as a punitive measure and called on FRIN’s management to demonstrate that Joseph would not be further victimized.
Onumah emphasized the importance of protecting whistleblowers from retaliation, stating, “A system where citizens who bravely report public interest wrongdoing face attacks fosters an environment of fear and diminishes the role of whistleblowing as an anti-corruption and good governance tool.”
