The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Sadia Umar-Farouk, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, to provide a detailed account of the disbursement of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians according to Sahara Reporters.
The court's directive follows a Freedom of Information (FOI) suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), demanding transparency in the distribution of these funds.
The judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, mandates Umar-Farouk to furnish comprehensive details about the beneficiaries, including their identities, the number of states involved, and the specific amounts allocated to each state. The ruling emphasizes the minister’s obligation under the FOI Act to make this information publicly available, ensuring accountability in the management of substantial public funds.
“The former minister is compelled by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to give information to any person including SERAP,” Justice Dipeolu stated. He further directed Umar-Farouk to elucidate the criteria used to select the beneficiaries and the methods employed to facilitate the payments.
The court's decision stems from SERAP's legal action numbered FHC/L/CS/853/2021, which challenged the transparency of the N729 billion disbursement meant for alleviating poverty among millions of Nigerians in 2021. Justice Dipeolu's ruling, dated June 27, 2024, underscores the necessity for rigorous oversight and accountability in the disbursement of public funds, especially given the significant amount involved.
Despite objections from Umar-Farouk's counsel, who questioned the suit's timing and the court's jurisdiction, Justice Dipeolu upheld SERAP's arguments. He dismissed the preliminary objections, affirming that the suit was filed within the legally required timeframe and in accordance with the FOI Act. This dismissal clears the path for SERAP to obtain the detailed financial disclosures it seeks.
SERAP's deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, hailed the court's decision as a monumental victory for transparency and public accountability. He emphasized that this judgment sets a critical precedent for the management of public resources in Nigeria. “This ground-breaking judgment is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds,” Oluwadare remarked.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, also praised the ruling, calling it one of the most significant public interest litigations in Nigeria's history. He urged the current administration under President Bola Tinubu to enforce the judgment promptly and ensure the recovery of any misappropriated funds.
In a letter to President Tinubu, SERAP called for immediate compliance with the court's order. They urged the government to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Attorney General’s office to compile and release the spending details as mandated by the court. The organization stressed that such actions would reinforce the rule of law and uphold transparency in the governance of public funds.