A landmark judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lagos has compelled Ms Sadia Umar-Farouk, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, to provide a detailed account of the disbursement of N729 billion allocated to support 24.3 million impoverished Nigerians over a six-month period.

The ruling, issued by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu in response to a Freedom of Information suit brought by Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) (FHC/L/CS/853/2021), mandates the former minister to disclose the list and particulars of beneficiaries, distribution across states, and the criteria used for selecting recipients.

Justice Dipeolu emphasized that transparency in public spending is a constitutional imperative, stating, “The former minister is compelled by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to disclose information to any person, including SERAP.”

The court further directed Ms Umar-Farouk to explain the rationale behind disbursing N5,000 to each beneficiary, amounting to five percent of Nigeria’s 2021 budget of N13.6 trillion.

In his judgment, Justice Dipeolu dismissed objections raised by the former minister’s counsel, asserting that SERAP’s request for information was timely and in compliance with statutory provisions.

“This judgment underscores the critical importance of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds,” remarked Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP. “It sets a precedent for future oversight and ensures that public officials are held accountable for their actions.”

Legal luminary Femi Falana, SAN, hailed the decision as a victory against systemic corruption.

“SERAP’s initiative deserves commendation for its unwavering commitment to public interest litigation,” he declared.

“We call on the authorities to uphold the rule of law by swiftly implementing the court’s directives.”

In response to the judgment, SERAP has called upon President Bola Tinubu to enforce compliance without delay, urging the government to prioritize transparency and accountability in all sectors.

“This is a pivotal moment for governance in Nigeria,” stated SERAP in a letter to President Tinubu.

“Immediate adherence to the court’s ruling will reinforce the principles of rule of law and ensure prudent management of public resources.”

The enforcement of this judgment marks a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in public spending, setting a precedent for future governance practices in Nigeria.