By Toyeeb Omotayo
The Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), an anti-corruption Civil Society Organisation based in Kwara State, has issued a stern warning to the Kwara State Government (KWSG) to prepare for accountability demands under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011 or be ready to face legal consequences.
The warning follows the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming that the FOI Act is binding on all levels of government across Nigeria, including state and local governments.
Reacting to the judgment, in a statement signed by Comrade Lanre Osho, Deputy Coordinator (Projects Tracking), quoted the group’s coordinator, Prof. Alagbonsi Abdullateef, who expressed satisfaction that the apex court had finally settled the long-standing debate over the applicability of the FOI Act to state governments.
Prof. Alagbonsi said the ruling effectively ends what he described as a six-year conspiracy between the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration and the Kwara State House of Assembly (KWHA), which, according to him, intentionally failed to domesticate the FOI Act in the state.
“The Supreme Court has terminated the conspiracy between the KWSG and the KWHA in the last six years.
“The KWHA failed to make a minor amendment to the already-passed bill before the Governor could assent to it, and the KWSG also failed to question the House for the delay.
“This was a calculated attempt to prevent transparency and accountability,” he said.
ENetSuD lamented the difficulties it has faced in tracking government projects over the years, which it attributed to the refusal of the state government to recognise the FOI Act.
The group said this position had compelled it to advocate for the domestication of the FOI law in the state.
While acknowledging the Supreme Court ruling as a victory, ENetSuD clarified that the social audit agreement it entered into with the KWSG in July 2020 was never a substitute for access to information through the FOI Act.
The group insisted that genuine transparency and accountability require full public access to information, which only the FOI Act guarantees.
Despite the development, ENetSuD said it remains open to additional transparency measures the state government may wish to introduce for the benefit of the public.
ENetSuD also urged Kwarans to take advantage of the legal clarity provided by the Supreme Court to demand explanations from the state government and all 16 Local Government Councils on how public funds are being utilised.
“We call on the citizens to begin asking questions and demand accountability from those entrusted with our collective patrimony,” the statement read.
