STAKEHOLDERS IN THE SOUTH EAST URGES THE JUDICIARY TO PRIORITIZE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 15-06-25
By Sadiq Aminu Stakeholders in the South East geopolitical zone of the country have urged the judiciary to give priority to Freedom of Information Act cases in order to strengthen transparency and accountability in governance.
They made the plea during the South East Regional Roundtable on 14 years of Freedom of Information Act, organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocate (CTA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Anambra State Ministry of Justice in Awka.
According to them, by doing so, the FOI Act would garner more respect and attract compliance from government agencies, thereby promoting openness and protecting the rights of citizens to access information.
In an address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje disclosed that deepened and enriched culture of secrecy in Public Office, hinders the implementation of FOI, noting that steps had been taken to increase public awareness of the Act.
“FOI act is our shield, let us reward openness and penalize secrecy”.
Professor Ifemeje applauded the Federal Government for directing the Civil Service and MDA’s to implement full digitalisation, expressing the belief that it would make the FOI more accessible to the people.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) Faith Nwadishi said the implementation of FOI Act remains weak after 14 years because some agencies, both at the federal and sub- national levels, outrightly refused to respond to FOI requests.
“Recently a public institution demanded over 1.2 million naira to access information that by law should be available on their website”.
However, Nwadishi applauded the Supreme Court ruling affirming the application of FOI Act across all the 36 states, noting that it was a welcome development.
On her part, the CSO Representative on NEITI Board, Doctor Erisa Danladi said FOI Act empower citizens to know, interact and also hold public office holders accountable.
Africa 247 Correspondent reports that the sensitization and advocacy programme themed, “14 years of FOI implementation at the sub national levels in Nigeria, strengthening, Access, Accountability and Citizens Engagement”, attracted members of civil society organisation, the media and other stakeholders.