- Faith Nwadishi criticised lawmakers for neglecting the FoI Act, noting that many Nigerians remain unaware of its provisions.
- She highlighted how the FoI Act empowers citizens, including women, youth, and PWDs, to track budgets and expose corruption.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, on Thursday said that with the Freedom of Information Act, FoIA, the Nigerian Federal Government, especially President Bola Tinubu’s administration, no longer intends to conduct government affairs in secrecy.
Fagbemi, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to utilise the FoIA to demand transparency and even claim their entitlements from both elected and appointed officials at the Federal and State levels.
He also advised public officials to disclose their activities to the public for evaluation, noting that the FoI Act provides an avenue to dispel misinformation concerning their offices.
Fagbemi made these remarks at the One Day Stakeholders Town Hall Meeting on “Application of Freedom of Information, FoI Act,” organised by Center for Transparency Advocacy, CTA, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Justice, at Finotel Hotel, Awka, Anambra State.
Represented by Garba Sunday, a legal practitioner from the FoIA Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Fagbemi stated that the FoI Act empowers Nigerian citizens to obtain government records and information without the need to justify their requests.
According to Fagbemi, SAN, “The Act also provides for people with disability and the vulnerable to access government records, noting that requests for release of such information, must be in writing and not orally.”
“Aside of reactive response to FoIA request, public institutions are expected to proactively disclose their activities in the public space for free of access by the public. To ensure easy implementation of the Act, public institutions must ensure that they keep their records in such a way that it will be easy to access by any requester.”
“Despite the fact that the Act guaranteed right to access to information, there are exemptions and conditions you must comply with before certain government information and records are released, and also there are certain information that the Act does not apply to.”
“I understand that Anambra State government has been making use of Act, enabling Anambra people to know what the government is doing, the government must be commended for doing that.”
“I’m imploring everyone in the country to avail themselves of FoIA instrument to know the activities of the government and hold them accountable to the citizen. It is your right to know and participate in the governance of this great country.”
“We are also appreciating RoLAC through CTA for making this town hall meeting on FOI Act possible. Remember that the purpose of FOI Act is for transparency, accountability, openness and good governance in public sector. And not for blackmailing and fighting the government.”
In her opening remarks, Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director of CTA, lamented that those who enacted the FoI Act became inactive afterwards, stressing that over 14 years later, many Nigerians remain uninformed about the law.
Ms Nwadishi explained that the Act enables citizens, including women, youth, and People With Disabilities, PWDs, to hold the government accountable, track expenditures, scrutinise projects, and expose corruption when it arises.
She emphasised that the event provided attendees with an opportunity to assess the Act’s crucial role in protecting the rights of women, youth, PWDs, and other Nigerians striving for fairness and inclusion in anti-corruption efforts.
“This event is one among the CTA activities that focuses on promoting transparency and accountability in governance, highlighting the efforts of the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative, SAGNI, in the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra State, and Edo State through FOI,” Nwadishi said.