The Federal Government has issued a strong warning against the unauthorized disclosure or leakage of official documents, emphasizing that such actions could lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), conveyed this warning 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, held in Abuja, focused on "Renewing hope and strengthening national unity through effective communication and the role of the Official Secret Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security."
Represented by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Akume highlighted that unauthorized leaks of sensitive documents are considered felonies. He noted that there is no constitutional or Freedom of Information Act protection for such actions.
Akume cited Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, which states, “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 government has previously taken measures to curb the leakage of sensitive information in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In August 2021, a service-wide circular was issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and this was reinforced by another circular in February 2024, specifically addressing the unauthorized circulation of official documents on social media.
Akume stressed the necessity to regulate the activities of civil society organizations that exploit the Freedom of Information Act to intimidate and harass public officers through the dissemination of false information. He called on professionals in communication and related industries to address this issue effectively.
The workshop underscored the importance of maintaining confidentiality and national security through strict adherence to the Official Secret Acts and responsible communication practices.
