NGOs sue CBN, FG over 2011 subsidy payment documents

The Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been sued by two  Non-Governmental Organisations groups, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) over an alleged failure to release information and documents on the authorization by the CBN over N1.26 trillion as subsidy for 2011 at the Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The suit filed no is FHC/IK/CS/23//2012  followed a Freedom of Information request by SERAP and WARDC to Sanusi dated January 15, 2012.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Muhammed Adoke (SAN) was joined alongside Sanusi in the suit.

The motion exparte, brought pursuant to Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act and Order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009, was signed by SERAP’s Staff Attorney, Chinyere Nwafor.

The groups argued that under the FOI Act, it had the right to request for or gain access to information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution and the information being sought relates to the spending on fuel “subsidy” in 2011 and in particular the authorisation of the sum of N1.26 trillion paid by the (CBN).

“Since the first defendant has failed to provide information requested by the plaintiffs, within the time limit stipulated by the FOI Act, it is, therefore, submitted that he has, by that very fact, refused to give the plaintiffs access to the information requested for.

Also, the groups are seeking for a declaration that the issuance and release of the sum of N1.26 trillion above the initial sum of N250 billion allocated for fuel subsidy for 2011 without authorisation by an Act of the National Assembly to wit; a Supplementary Appropriation Act, is a breach of section 80(2), (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as such is unlawful and unconstitutional.

One Comment

1. 

   Anonymous

   February 20, 2012 at 2:54 pm

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   HILTO AND MOST HIGH HOTELS IN ABUJA WAS FULL TO THE BRIM WITH 90% PATRONAGE FROM NASS MEMBERS AND VARIOUS  HOSUE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS.

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   WITH LITTLE GIRLS FROM 17 TO 27 YEARS OF OLD.

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   PEOPEL FIRGET THEY ARE PUBLIC OFFICES .

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   CHANGE