The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite has ordered the National Assembly to release all documents relating to the controversial ₦37 billion renovation of the National Assembly complex.
Justice Nwike in his ruling delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2022, directed the legislative body to provide comprehensive details to the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), which filed the case through its legal counsel, Seidu Mohammed.
The judge, who ruled that the requested documents fall within the scope of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, stating that the National Assembly had no legal basis to withhold the information, said, “The information is simple and harmless. Where an institution like the respondent denies or is deemed to have denied an applicant the instant information sought, it will not only defeat the very purpose of the Act but encourage corruption and financial recklessness,”
The court also directed the National Assembly to provide HEDA with the proposal, assessment, and procedure used to arrive at the initial N37bn estimate, the actual amount approved and allocated, and the amount so far disbursed for the renovation.
“The information is simple and harmless. Where an institution like the respondent denies or is deemed to have denied an applicant the instant information sought, it will not only defeat the very purpose of the Act but encourage corruption and financial recklessness,” the judge said.
