Freedom of Information Act: Gov. Fashola Dragged to Federal High Court

fash-3

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has been dragged before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged failure to release information and documents relating to spending in public schools in the state for the last 5 years.

Gov. Fashola Dragged to Federal High Court

The appropriate suit has been filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The group declared that in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Governor was under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff with up-to-date information, as requested in a letter dated December 1, 2013, addressed to the Governor of Lagos State.

It also prayed the court for an order of mandamus to compel the Governor or his privies to rescind the suspension of anyone including principals of any of the schools mentioned above for blowing the whistle or allowing journalists to cover the decay of infrastructure across primary and secondary schools in Lagos State.

SERAP initiated the suit over “alleged failure to release information and documents on the spending for the past five years on furniture and other facilities in public schools in the state including Ewutuntun Grammar School in Mafoluku area of Oshodi; Ikeja Grammar School; Iloro Grammar School in Agege and Fagba Junior Grammar School, Iju Road.”

The group is also seeking the order of the court for the Lagos State government to release information on spending of the World Bank loan of $90 million meant to improve education in the 639 public secondary schools in the state, and details of projects carried out to improve infrastructure and facilities across primary and secondary education in Lagos State.

The suit was sequel to a Freedom of Information request sent to the Executive Governor of Lagos State dated December 1, 2013.

Source: Vanguard

1 COMMENT

  1. This party will milk the state to zero,despite the huge revenue,such amount of money has been collected nd yet our schools re still in such a state.639 schools,I doubt if they ve done 20 schools per lga which will bring the total to 400 not to mention 600.