The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to comply with a recent court ruling mandating the release of detailed spending information on N729 billion managed by the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Sadia Umar-Farouk.
The former Minister is the wife to the Ex-Air Staff Chief and APC’s governorship aspirant in Bauchi State in the last election Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.
In a letter signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare on Sunday, the group stressed the importance of transparency and adherence to the law, referencing a judgment by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The court’s decision compels the former minister to disclose how the funds were utilized, citing the Freedom of Information Act.
The Letter
The letter partly read “We request you to use your good offices and leadership position to immediately enforce the judgment by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, ordering your government to release the spending details of N729 billion managed by Mrs. Sadia Umar-Farouk.”
The judgment, delivered last month, followed a Freedom of Information suit brought by SERAP though the certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last Friday.
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Justice Dipeolu’s ruling highlights the former minister’s obligation to provide spending details to any requesting party.
In the ruling, Justice Dipeolu also ordered the former minister to disclose the specifics of how the N729 billion was spent on 24.3 million poor Nigerians in 2021. The court also demanded an explanation of the selection process for beneficiaries and the mechanisms used for payments.
Justice Dipeolu further questioned the rationale behind the N5,000 payment to each beneficiary, noting that it represents five percent of Nigeria’s budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021.
The Order
According to the court order, Farouk is expected to explain the selection process for beneficiaries of the funds and the number of states covered and clarify whether payments were made in cash, through bank verification numbers, or other means.
SERAP’s letter urged President Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Attorney General’s office to comply with the court order, arguing that transparency in spending public funds is crucial for democracy.
“Transparency in the spending of the N729 billion meant for poor Nigerians is good for everyone. It would help increase the effectiveness, legitimacy, and contribution of the recovered loot to the development of public goods and services,” the letter states.
The organization expressed hope that President Tinubu would view compliance with this judgment as essential for legality and constitutionality in governance.
“Democracy cannot flourish if governments operate in secrecy. The citizens are entitled to know how the commonwealth, including Abacha loot, is being utilized, managed, and administered in a democratic setting. Implementing the judgment will restore trust and confidence in the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary.”
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