The Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Sadia Umar-Farouk, to account for N729 billion disbursed to 24.3 million impoverished Nigerians over six months.
Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu delivered the judgment last month in response to a Freedom of Information suit (FHC/L/CS/853/2021) filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), as reported by Channels TV. The court ordered Umar-Farouk to disclose spending details, beneficiary selection criteria, and the rationale behind paying N5,000 to each beneficiary, amounting to five percent of Nigeria’s 2021 budget.
Justice Dipeolu dismissed objections from the minister’s counsel, upheld SERAP’s arguments, and entered judgment in favor of the organization. The court emphasized compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and rejected claims of the suit being statute-barred.
SERAP hailed the ruling as a milestone for transparency and accountability in public spending, urging prompt implementation by the government to restore trust in Nigeria’s judiciary and governance processes.
