Kaduna not bound by FOI Act – Yakowa

Yakowa

Kaduna state government under the leadership of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa has said that it is not bound by the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2011.

It said in its reply to Kaduna Human Rights Association by the Kaduna state Ministry of Justice. The association had written to the government, through Ministry of Water Resources, seeking all contract agreements for the Zaria Water Project since 1999, variations of the contracts, total amount spent on the project since 1999 and also assisted funds spent on the water project.

The government’s reply dated June 7, 2012, which was signed SanusiUsman, Esq on behalf of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, read: “I have instructions to write and inform you that your request on the above captioned subject matter is hereby refused. I firmly believe that you now know very well that you are unworthy of being supplied with the kind of information you are asking for since it has been judicially decided that you lack the capacity to either sue or before sued in your name.”

The Kaduna Human Rights Association, in furtherance of its demand has taken the matter to Kaduna State High Court, seeking judicial review by its registered trustees.

Joined in the suit as respondents are Kaduna state government, the governor, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, attorney-general and commissioner forjustice and also the commissioner forwater resources.

Hearing will begin Tuesday in the case in which the applicant is praying that Freedom of Information Act is a law duly made by the National Assembly and has binding effect on all persons, bodies and governments in Nigeria, and not discretionally for the government to choose whether to comply or not with the provisions.

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