Federal Government Issues Warning Against Unauthorized Disclosure of Official Documents

The Federal Government has warned civil servants that the unauthorized disclosure or leakage of official documents, which could have adverse effects on the nation, is a punishable offense. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), issued this caution in Abuja on Tuesday during a seminar organized by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
In his speech on the topic of “Renewing hope and strengthening national unity through effective communication and the role of the Official Secrets Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security,” Akume stressed that the unauthorized release of sensitive official documents is a grave offense with no legal defense, as outlined in the Constitution or the Freedom of Information Act.

In accordance with Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, “Any individual employed in the public service who, without proper authorization, abstracts or makes a copy of any document belonging to his employer is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable to one-year imprisonment.”

Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, represented Akume at the seminar. Akume pointed out that the government had previously implemented measures to prevent the leakage of sensitive official information in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through the issuance of service-wide circulars by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in August 2021.

“This was further reinforced by another service-wide circular issued in February 2024 regarding the unauthorized circulation of official documents containing information on social media. This was done to underscore existing regulations prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure or leakage of official documents.”
“The actions of civil society organizations that abuse the Freedom of Information Act to intimidate, harass, and deplete resources from public officials by disseminating false and unfounded information need to be controlled. This matter must be effectively addressed by all professionals in the communication and related sectors,” he stated.

The SGF commended the BPSR for hosting the seminar, highlighting the government’s dedication to disseminating accurate and truthful information.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau, urged participants to acquaint themselves with the Official Secrets Act and effectively communicate government policies and programs to the public.
“Your role as communication managers in MDAs is vital, particularly in our increasingly intricate information environment. In today’s world, communication and platforms are highly diversified. The government must lead in communication to counter misinformation and ensure that citizens are well-informed about government activities, objectives, and the benefits of its policies and programs to the nation’s citizens.”
“Timely and accurate information dissemination is crucial and must not be compromised, given its significant impact on service delivery and governance,” he stressed.