Sadiya Umar-Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has been ordered by the Federal High Court in Lagos to account for N729 billion in payments made to 24.3 million underprivileged Nigerians over the course of six months.
The court also ordered the former minister to give a list and information about the recipients who received payments, as well as the number of states covered and the amounts paid to each state.
Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu delivered the decision in June in response to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Freedom of Information petition, FHC/L/CS/853/2021.
The group acquired a certified authentic copy of the judgement last Friday.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that “the former minister is compelled by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to give information to any person, including SERAP. 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.”
Justice Dipeolu ordered the minister to “provide SERAP with details of how the beneficiaries have been selected and the mechanisms for the payments to the beneficiaries.”
The judge also ordered the minister to “explain the rationale for paying N5,000 to 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which translates to five percent of Nigeria’s budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021.”
She ruled that “the minister did not give any reason for the refusal to disclose the details sought by SERAP. SERAP has reeled out the relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 that the minister contravened and has, in line with sections 20 and 25(1) of the Act, prayed this Court for an order of mandamus to direct and compel the minister to provide the information sought.”
Justice Dipeolu overruled the minister’s counsel’s objections and supported SERAP’s arguments. As a result, the court ruled in favour of SERAP and against the minister.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, reacted to the finding, saying it is a triumph for transparency and accountability in public spending.
He said, “This ground-breaking judgement is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds.
“Justice Dipeolu’s judgement shows the urgent need for the Tinubu government to genuinely address the systemic allegations of corruption in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development and other ministries, departments, and agencies, as documented by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
“We commend Justice Dipeolu for her courage and wisdom and urge President Bola Tinubu to immediately obey the court orders.”
In a letter dated July 6, 2024, sent to President Bola Tinubu and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation requested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management, and Social Development, as well as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, comply with the ruling immediately.
The NGO also requested that the President order the release of the N729 billion in spending data, as mandated by the court.
It reads, “We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgement of the court.
“We urge you to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately compile and release the spending details of the N729 billion as ordered by the court.
“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgement by your government will be a victory for the rule of law, transparency, and accountability in the governance processes and management of public resources, including the N729 billion.”
