By Mumin Abdulkareem
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of a State High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara state, has fixed August 10, 2020, for the hearing of a suit filed by a civil society organisation, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, against the Kwara state government over alleged non-compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
Olasupo Abideen, the organisation’s coordinator told newsmen, on Wednesday, that they seek to achieve transparency in public sector spending, especially by the government.
He said, โThere won’t be any transparency and accountability if budget line items and clarifications are shrouded in secrecy and that is the reason why we have been making this demand.โ
The Kwara State Ministry of Finance and Planning had refused to grant the request of the organisation for the breakdown of N8.889bn health sector spending in the third quarter of 2019, breakdown of how the Governor’s office spent N2.451bn and a breakdown of the N1.195bn ministry of works spending; among others.
A copy of the letter reads, โPlease take notice that should the Ministry refuse to grant our request despite this appeal, within the above-stipulated ultimatum, we shall not hesitate to approach the Federal High Court to seek appropriate reliefs against the Ministry, having regards to Sections 2 (6), 20 and 25 of the Act.โ
BBYDI had earlier in the year requested for details of over N11billion Kwara State Government expended on in fourth quarter of 2019.
The organization is requesting for the following details: Breakdown (line by line) of how 8.889BN was spent on the Health Sector during the last quarter of the year, breakdown of how Governor’s office gulped 2.451BN and breakdown of Ministry of Works’ 1.195Bn.
Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative based its FOI request on fourth quarter financial report published by the state government.
The organization therefore filed case at State High Court to challenge denial of their request in line with 2011 FOI Act.
