Trouble Looms For Buhari's Minister As Court Demands Account Of N729 Billion |READ FULL

In a landmark judgment, the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Ms. Sadia Umar-Farouk, to provide a detailed account of N729 billion paid to 24.3 million poor Nigerians over six months.

Amidst rising tensions and a probe into the disbursement of funds, the court's decision has placed the former minister in hot water, demanding transparency and accountability for the massive expenditure.

Landmark Court Ruling

The judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, followed a Freedom of Information suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/853/2021, sought detailed information on the payments made to beneficiaries, including the list of recipients, the number of states covered, and the specific amounts disbursed per state.

Court Orders Full Disclosure

Justice Dipeolu mandated the former minister to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the N729 billion spending, emphasizing that the Freedom of Information Act obliges her to disclose such information. The court directed the minister to detail the selection process of beneficiaries and the mechanisms used for the payments.

"The former minister is compelled by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to give information to any person including SERAP," stated Justice Dipeolu. "I therefore grant an order of mandamus directing and compelling the minister to provide the spending details of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians in 2021."

Call for Transparency

The judgment also called for an explanation of the rationale behind paying N5,000 to 24.3 million Nigerians, which constituted five percent of Nigeria's 2021 budget of N13.6 trillion. Justice Dipeolu criticized the minister's failure to provide the requested information, deeming it a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

"The minister did not give any reason for the refusal to disclose the details sought by SERAP," the judge noted, highlighting the importance of adherence to statutory provisions for transparency.

Reaction and Implications

SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare hailed the judgment as a victory for transparency and accountability. "This ground-breaking judgment is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds," he said, urging the Tinubu administration to address systemic corruption in government ministries.

Femi Falana, SAN, commended SERAP's efforts, describing the litigation as one of the most patriotic public interest cases ever undertaken in Nigeria. He called on the government to use the judgment as a basis for tackling corruption in the ministry and other departments.

SERAP's Appeal to President Tinubu

In a letter to President Bola Tinubu, SERAP urged immediate compliance with the court order, advocating for the release of the spending details. The organization emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in governance, urging the Tinubu administration to set a precedent by obeying the court's judgment.

"By immediately complying with the judgment, your government will be demonstrating to Nigerians that it is different from the Buhari government, which persistently defied the country's judiciary," the letter read.

A Step Towards Accountability

The ruling against Ms. Sadia Umar-Farouk marks a significant step towards enforcing transparency in Nigeria's public sector. As the nation watches closely, the Tinubu administration's response to the court order will be a critical indicator of its commitment to the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

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