BREAKING: Court Orders Former Minister to Account for N729bn Payment to Poor Nigerians

In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos has directed Sadiya Umar-Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, to account for the N729 billion payments made to 24.3 million poor Nigerians over six months. This decision, delivered by Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu in June, came after the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) filed a Freedom of Information (FoI) suit.

Justice Dipeolu’s judgment mandates that Umar-Farouq disclose the list of beneficiaries, the distribution of funds across states, and the specific amounts allocated per state. The ruling emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in public fund disbursement. Under the FoI Act, the former minister is legally required to provide this information to SERAP and other interested parties.

The court also ordered Umar-Farouq to clarify how beneficiaries were selected and the mechanisms used for the payments. Additionally, she must explain the rationale behind giving N5,000 to each of the 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which amounted to five percent of Nigeria’s 2021 budget of N13.6 trillion. The judge noted that the minister had not justified her refusal to disclose the requested information.

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Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, praised the judgment as a victory for transparency and accountability in public fund management. He urged the current administration under President Bola Tinubu to comply with the court’s orders promptly. Oluwadare also called on the government to address systemic corruption in various ministries, departments, and agencies, as highlighted by the Auditor-General’s reports.

In a letter dated July 6, 2024, addressed to President Tinubu, SERAP requested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, along with the Attorney General’s office, compile and release the spending details as ordered by the court. The letter stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparency in governance.

This judgment is a significant step towards ensuring accountability in the Nigerian government’s handling of public funds. It sets a precedent for future transparency and reinforces the importance of the Freedom of Information Act in promoting good governance.

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