The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has mandated the National Assembly to release all documents connected to the controversial ₦37 billion renovation of the National Assembly Complex.
Delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2022, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite upheld the application brought by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) through its counsel, Seidu Mohammed.
The court ordered the National Assembly to furnish HEDA with the project proposal, the needs assessment and procedure leading to the initial ₦37 billion estimate, the final amount approved and appropriated, as well as the sums already disbursed towards the renovation works.
Justice Nwite held that the requested information falls squarely within the ambit of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and that the legislature had no lawful justification for withholding same. His Lordship remarked that denying such “simple and harmless” information would undermine the intent of the Act and foster corruption and financial recklessness.
Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, described the ruling as a victory for transparency and a reaffirmation of the constitutional right of citizens to demand accountability in the execution of public projects. He urged the National Assembly to comply fully with the court’s directive without delay.
HEDA further called on all stakeholders — including the Nigerian Bar, the media, and civil society organisations — to intensify demands for openness in governance and to collaborate in combating corruption and financial mismanagement within public institutions.
