Court orders National Assembly to release details on N37bn renovation project

In a major victory for transparency and accountability, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Assembly to make public detailed information regarding the controversial ₦37 billion renovation of the National Assembly Complex.

The judgment came in response to a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a civil society group advocating for good governance. The case, filed as Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2022, was presented on behalf of HEDA by Barrister Seidu Mohammed.

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Delivering the ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite granted an order of mandamus compelling the National Assembly to provide full disclosure on the project. The court specifically directed the legislature to release:

The proposal, assessment, and procedures used in arriving at the initial ₦37 billion renovation figure.

The actual amount eventually approved and allocated for the project.

The total funds already disbursed for the renovation.

The Court held that the information sought is simple and harmless, and that the National Assembly has no valid reason to deny HEDA the information under the Freedom of Information Act.

‎”Where an institution like the Respondent denies or is deemed to have denied an Applicant the instant information sought, it will not only defeat the very purpose of the Act but encourage corruption and financial recklessness. The Respondent has no valid reason to deny the Applicant the information in line with the FOI Act.”

Reacting to the judgment, HEDA’s Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, described the Court’s decision as a major win for transparency and accountability in governance. “This judgment sets a precedent for public access to information on government projects. We expect the National Assembly to comply fully with the Court’s order and provide the required information.”

HEDA calls on all stakeholders including the media, civil society organisations, etc to join in demanding accountability from public institutions and to support the fight against corruption and financial recklessness.