FOI: Court orders Adamawa state government, Bashir Ahmad led covid 19 committees to appear for trial on Mar. 1.
On Tuesday, a Federal High Court Yola fixed Mar. 1 to hear a suit challenging the Adamawa state government. Bashir Ahmad led covid 19 committees’ refusal to make available the information sought by CSO and The Finder through FOI.
The court presided by Justice Abdul-Aziz Anka also ordered service of hearing notices on respondents to the suit.
The applicant, Centre for leadership evaluation and accountability forum and The Finder, sued the Adamawa state government alongside others over non-disclosure of all spending of money donated to it by the federal government, captain of industry well-meaning on behalf of the people of Adamawa state.
Joined as respondents in the suit are the Bashir Ahmad led covid 19 committees and Adamawa state government.
The applicant who is suing for themselves and on behalf of the Nigerian public had brought their suit under the provisions of the freedom of information laws 2011.
At the first mention of the case on Feb. 1, the plaintiff told the court that amid the prevailing Covid 19 pandemic, the Bashir Ahmad led covid 19 committees have received food and non-food item from the federal government, captain of industry and well-meaning Nigerians on behalf of the people of Adamawa state through the Adamawa state government.
Through the FOI 2011, the plaintiff wrote the state government, and Bashir Ahmad led covid 19 committees to avail it with all the information sought, despite a reminder written to the committee after the respondents kept mute warrant the plaintiff to approach the court.
Justice Abdulaziz Anka had consequently ordered that all parties to the suit be served with the court processes and put on notice while fixed March. 1st, to hear the substantive case.
The plaintiff wants the court to declare that the public is entitled to know how the food and non-food item is utilised by the Bashir Ahmad led covid 19 committees on behalf of the people of Adamawa state.