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As part of the activities marking the celebration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021, a non-governmental organization, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC, dragged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on Wednesday from Nigeria, Abubakar Malami in court. for violation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The action brought before the Federal High Court of Benin, under number FHC / B / CS / 122/2021, between the Registered Trustees of Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC) and the Attorney General of the Federation, aims to compel the Attorney General of the Federation to publish a copy of the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission-NDDC.
Confirming the lawsuit, MIIVOC Executive Director Dr Walter Duru explained that the step became necessary following what he described as an unsatisfactory response from the Attorney General to a request for a copy of the audit report. presented, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
According to Duru, “following the presentation of the NDDC forensic audit report to the Attorney General by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Executive Director of MIIVOC, Dr Walter Duru, had , during a live broadcast on Africa Independent Television asked the Attorney General to release the report for the consumption of members of the public. We followed up with a request for FOI. In a letter dated September 7, 2021, MIIVOC sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the Federation Attorney General, requesting a copy of the NDDC forensic audit report.
“In a letter dated September 14, 2021, signed by Hamza Adeyinka Omolara, Deputy Attorney General, with reference number MJ / 7215/1/26, the Attorney General’s office invoked Article 6 of the Freedom Act information, requesting an extension of time. to process the request.
“In another letter dated September 20, 2021, bearing the reference number MJ / 7215/1/28, also signed by Hamza Adeyinka Omolara, Deputy Attorney General, the Attorney General further invoked Article 5 (1) of the Freedom of Information Law, 2011, informing us that our request had been transferred to the Niger Delta Ministry of Affairs, which he said is more interested in the issue. Section five says “may” and no. The Attorney General has the document and there is no reason why he should not share it with us. We are not satisfied with the response of the Attorney General, hence our decision to invoke Section 20 of the FOI Act, requesting judicial review.
Also speaking, Ayodele Otuakhena, Esq of the FAITH lawyer, who filed the complaint on behalf of MIIVOC, accused the Federal Justice Ministry of abuse of the FAITH law.
According to him, “there is overwhelming evidence that the Attorney General has copies of the report because he received the same from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. He is therefore obliged to release him.
Other activities of MIIVOC marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021 include a Freedom of Information Implementation Review Meeting for officers of the Freedom of Information office of public institutions of Edo State, supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Program, funded by the European Union but managed by the British Council, as well as other enlightenment programs.
Another highlight of the celebration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021 in Edo State was a TweetChat on the “Right to Know”, with the theme: Rebuilding better with access information, organized by the JTF Council.
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