BREAKING: A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted leave to SERAP to pursue our suit against @NigeriaGov over the failure to disclose spending details of the loans it obtained since 2015 including list of projects and their locations, conditions of the loans, etc.
Hon. Justice A.R Mohammed, who gave the ruling yesterday following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by SERAP expressed satisfaction that the leave ought to be granted, and adjourned the motion on notice to 11th November, 2020 for hearing.
Respondents in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/785/2020 are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha.
Among other reliefs, SERAP is asking the court to direct and compel President Buhari to tell Nigerians the names of countries and bodies that have given the loans to Nigeria and if he would instruct the anti-corruption agencies to monitor the spending of all the loans obtained.
The suit followed an FOI letter sent to the president in May requesting him to provide spending details of all loans obtained, and expressing concerns that the growing national debts of money borrowed in the name of Nigeria may have been mismanaged, stolen or squandered.
@nassnigeria had approved an N850 billion loan requested by President Buhari. Another loan of $22.79bn has already been approved by the Senate. The approval of the National Assembly was also sought for a loan of $5.513bn to fund the 2020 budget deficit and critical projects.
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BREAKING: SERAP has won round one in battle to compel Governor Okowa of Delta state, and Universal Basic Education Commission to account for education funds in the state, as Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Lagos last week granted the motion for leave as prayed.
Justice Aikawa ruled “Going through the Application, supported by a 13-para. affidavit, with exhibits, statements of facts, verifying affidavits and written address, I am satisfied that leave ought to be granted in this case, and I hereby grant the motion for leave as prayed.”
The suit number FHC/L/CS/803/2019 filed last year followed the failure by the governor, UBEC and SUBEB to explain how billions of naira of UBEC funds and from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee have been spent, and to disclose locations of primary school projects.
BREAKING: #EndSARS The ICC has officially confirmed that it will "give consideration to SERAP Communication seeking probe into reports that Nigerian authorities, military and some politicians have killed #EndSARS peaceful protesters in several parts of Nigeria."
In the letter with reference number OTP-CR-495/20, the ICC stated, in part: "The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your documents/letter.
This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office.
We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of
the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision."
BREAKING: SERAP wins first round in battle to compel @nassnigeria@DrAhmadLawan@femigbaja to release reports of ALL completed public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly since 1999.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday gave SERAP a victory in round one of our attempt to secure the release of completed public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly since 1999.
Justice Ogunbanjo gave SERAP the permission to apply for judicial review and seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the leadership of the National Assembly to publish completed public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly since 1999.
BREAKING: We condemn purported ‘ultimatum’ and threats of violence against @AmnestyNigeria by apparently pro-government groups and call on Nigerian authorities to act swiftly to end the harassment and intimidation against the group and ensure the safety and security of its staff.
We’ll hold authorities to account including through international legal action, if they fail to rein in these groups and stop increasing and apparently sponsored attacks, intimidation, harassment and threats against Amnesty International Office in Nigeria and its staff.
Any failure to hold to account those who may be responsible for the threats will invariably increase the vulnerability of civil society in the country, and strengthen the perception that threats against NGOs and human rights workers can happen with impunity.
BREAKING: We condemn the illegal fines of N9m reportedly imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission on Channels TV, AIT and Arise TV [N3m each] over their coverage of the #EndSARS protests.
We'll sue the NBC if the unconstitutional fines are not rescinded within 48 hours.
This action by the NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices. The NBC should drop the fines and uphold Nigerian constitution and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom.
The fines are detrimental to freedom of expression and the media, and access to information in Nigeria, and the NBC must withdraw the decision.
Media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information.
#EndSARS Nigeria & our people don't deserve the level of destruction, thuggery, deaths & injuries. Going forward, authorities & politicians should: 1. Stop using thugs to win elections & against citizens 2. Set up victims' funds & ensure justice 3. Reform the electoral law
4. Amend Nigerian constitution to recognise socio-economic rights as legally enforceable human rights & recognise corruption as a violation of human rights 5. Respect the right to protest, invite international commission of inquiry to probe Lekki shooting & attacks on the media
6. Immediately obey ALL court judgments and orders and respect the rule of law 7. Repeal and drop all repressive laws and bills including CAMA2020, social media bill, water resources bill as well as other repressive policies like the Broadcasting Codes 8. Pass the Audit bill