The Federal Government of Nigeria has implemented measures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive official information, emphasizing the legal repercussions of such actions. This warning was reiterated by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), during a workshop organized by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Office of the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
### Key Points:
– **Unauthorized Disclosure:** Akume, represented by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, highlighted that unauthorized leakage of official documents is a felony, with no constitutional or Freedom of Information Act defense.
– **Legal Framework:** According to Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, any public service employee who abstracts or copies a document without proper authority commits a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison.
– **Past Measures:** In August 2021 and February 2024, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation issued service-wide circulars to contain the leakage of sensitive information, especially on social media.
– **Regulation of Civil Society Organizations:** Akume called for regulating civil society organizations that misuse the Freedom of Information Act to harass public officers and disseminate false information.
– **Role of Communication Managers:** Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of BPSR, emphasized the critical role of communication managers in government MDAs in preventing misinformation and ensuring accurate and prompt information delivery to the public. He urged them to familiarize themselves with the Official Secrets Act and use both traditional and social media platforms effectively.
### Workshop Theme:
The workshop, 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,” underscored the importance of accurate communication and the enforcement of confidentiality to maintain national security.
The government’s focus is on ensuring that sensitive information is protected and only disseminated through proper channels to maintain integrity and public trust.