A community development advocacy group known as Patriotism Advancement and Community Orientation Network (PACON) has sued former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s Local Government Area at the Ogbia High Court over what it described as an act against the interest of justice.
Recall that PACON had on the 9th of December 2019, written to the Executive Chaiman, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, requesting account over funds as it concerns Ogbia Local Government Area which the Local Government has failed to reply to the said application.
Also joined in the suit as Defendant/Respondent is the Executive Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Ebinyo Marvin Turner.
In the 13-paragraphed affidavit deposed to by the Secretary, Board of Trustees, PACON, Mr. Debekeme Powedei in support of the originating summons application taken out by Wisdom Adike, Esq., and Aluzu Ebikebuna, Esq., the group says they are of the belief that the said application if granted will aid proper accountability by our leaders and encourage citizen’s participation in governance in line with extant constitutional provisions.
“On the 9th December 2019, the Claimant/Applicant wrote an Application to the Defendants/Respondents that the Claimant/Applicant should be allowed unfettered access to certain certified true copies information concerning Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State of Nigeria that is within the control and custody of the Defendants/Respondents.
“That the Defendants/Respondents have failed, refused and or neglected to reply to the said application.
“The Defendants/Respondents have failed, refused and or neglected to allow the Claimant/Applicant access to the certified true copies of information sought within seven (7) days as provided by Law.
“The Claimant/Applicant is of the earnest belief as a champion of good governance with the object of bringing governance and accountability closer to the electorates, that the said Application if granted by this Defendants/Respondents would aid proper accountability by our leaders and encourage citizen’s participation in governance in line with extant constitutional provisions.” He said.
PACON also said it is worried that the refusal to grant the said application could be that the Executive Chairman had misappropriated the said funds for personal use.
“The Claimant/Applicant believe that the 1st and 2nd Defendants/Respondents refusal to grant the Claimant/Applicant access to the said information is rooted in the fact that the 2nd Defendants/Respondents misappropriated and diverted the funds within the period under review to his personal use which is against the interest of good governance, truth and justice.
“That unless the Defendants/Respondents are compelled by an Order of this Honourable Court the Defendants/Respondents will continue to fail, neglect and or refuse the Claimant/Applicant access to the certified true copies of information sought by the Claimant/Applicant from them.” He stated.
PACON is asking the court to determine whether Whether the refusal to grant them to the requested information within the stipulated time under the FoI Act amounts to a denial of access to information under the Act among other things. The matter is yet to be fixed for hearing.
