By Fortune Oyem
Nigerians have been called upon to leverage on the use of freedom of information law to hold public officials accountable for enhanced transparency in Government.
Some participants stated this at a strategy meeting on implementation of the freedom of information act in Nigeria, held in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
The strategy meeting organised as part of implementation of the civil society advocacy to strengthen Anti -corruption reforms ( CASARN) project had participants drawn from Edo State Government, various Civil Society organisations and the Media.
In a message, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor stated that since the passage into law of the freedom of information act in 2011, its implementation has not been without challenges as many states still resist FOI requests made by some Civil Society organisations and other interest groups.
Represented by ANEEJ Deputy Director, Mr Leo Atakpu , Reverend Ugolor applauded the supreme court landmark rulling on April 11,2025 affirming that the freedom of information law applies to all tiers of government including States and Local Government noting that it was not only timely but transformative.
” The judgement has laid to rest all controversies regarding the applicability of FOI Act to subnational government and has provides a renewed legal foundation upon which we must collectively test the applicability of the legislation in accessing information from public institutions and some category of private organisations.”
He stressed that the meeting was to build consensus and deepen awareness for the full implementation of the FOI Act at the subnational level
”Today’s meeting is therefore designed to be more than a conversation. It is strategic platform to build consensus, deepen awareness and collectively shape a pathway for the full implementation of the FOI Act at the subnational level. It’s is also an opportunity to forge constructive engagement with key government institutions. We believe that the interactions during this meeting will provide rich insights and actionable recommendations that will promote the application of FOI Act in Edo State.”
Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Samson Osagie represented by a Principal State Counsel in the Ministry, Barrister Festus Usoibaifo explained that the State Government Led by Governor Monday Okpebholo was deeply committed to reforms that would promote transparency and public accountability.
”The Government of Edo State as Led by Senator Monday Okpebholo is deeply committed to reforms that promote transparency and public accountability and citizens participation. The believe of the government is that the right to information is not a privilege to be granted at the discretion of the state but it’s a right that flows from the sovereignty of the people and then in view of the recent decision of the supreme court clarifying the applicability of the FOI Act to subnational entities,the Government is better position to ensure compliance “.
Some participants at the event, Comrade Valentine Egharegva and Miss Doris Ogbeifu described the event as apt .
The event which had other representatives including the Edo State Coordinator, Rule of law and Anti corruption, Rolac, Mrs Uche Nwokedi amongst others featured panel Discussions, Lecture from FOI counsels, group work with Questions and Answers Session.
