SERAP Sues Nigerian Govt. For Failing To Name Looters

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Federal Government for failing “to release the names of suspected looters and the circumstances under which recovered stolen public funds were recovered.”The suit, filed Friday at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, followed

a Freedom of Information request to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, asking him to “provide information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount of
funds recovered from each public official.”The originating summons, with suit number FHC/CS/964/2016, was brought pursuant to section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni.Joined as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.The plaintiff is arguing that, “By a letter with reference No MJ/FOI/GEN/014/1/54 and dated 21 June 2016, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, SAN confirmed that the FOI request by SERAP was brought to the attention of the Defendants for handling. However, since the receipt of the FOI request and the confirmation by Mr Malami that the request was brought to the attention of the Defendants for handling, and up till the filing of this suit, the Defendants have so far failed, refused and/or neglected to provide SERAP with the details of the information requested.”SERAP is asking the court to determine “Whether by virtue of the provision of section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under an obligation to provide the Plaintiff with the information requested for.”
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