Court Orders Malami To Release Financial Records Of Local, Foreign Donations

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin has ordered the Attorney
General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami
(SAN), to disclose the record of local and international financial
donations and grants to the Open Government Partnership (OGP)
process in Nigeria.

The petitioner, freedom of information counsel in suit N0:
FHC/B/CS/103/18, had through its counsel, R.A. Otuakhena, Esq
dragged the AGF to Court for refusing to disclosed the information
sought to OGP.

The applicant had urged the Court to declare that failure of the
respondent to release certified true copy of the requested
information is unlawful, oppressive and malicious.

He also seeks an order that the respondent releases the
information set out in exhibit Open Government Nigeria (OGN), among
others.

Justice Adefumilayo A. Demi-Ajayi in its ruling held that
request to information is to make public authority accountable and
this could make the public better informed.

The Court said there is no reason presented by the respondent
before the Court regarding why the said applicant should be refused
as the applicant has followed due process in bringing the
application before the Court to have his right under the Freedom of
Information Act 2011.

“In view of this, the Court find and hold that the applicant has
demonstrated that he is entitled to all the relief, order and award
sought. The reliefs, order and awards are hereby granted
accordingly,” he said.