FOI Law: Lawyer Demands Record of Allocation to 18 C’River LGAs

by crossriverwatch admin

Cross River Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Bar. Obono Obla has applied for access to information concerning the monthly revenue allocation to the eighteen local government areas in Cross River State from January, 2007 to 30th October 2012.

The application was made pursuant to section 4, sub-section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

In a letter dated November 9, 2012 and addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, the lawyer said: “I respectfully request for access to information /record concerning the allocation of revenue from the Federation Accounts to the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State of Nigeria pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 subsection 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Eighteen (18) Local Government Areas of Cross River State of Nigeria are: Akamkpa, Abi, Akpabuyo, Boki, Bekwarra, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South Local Government, Etung, Obubra, Ogoja, Obanliku, Obudu, Yala, Yakurr and Ikom”.

Obla who is an indigene of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State and also the Traditional Ruler of Letampankom Community in Ijiman Town in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State further stated that his request was to promote accountability, transparency, good governance and the judicious management of public funds:

“The purport of my request/application is to enable me know what monies have passed from the Federation Accounts to the said 18 Local Government Areas within the period in issue and to ascertain if the level of development in these 18 Local Government Areas are commensurate with the monies had and received from the Federation Accounts in order to promote accountability, transparency, good governance and judicious management of public funds”.

He expressed hope that the Accountant General’s office will cooperate with his request to avoid payment of penalty and the unpleasantness of protracted litigation warning that should the Accountant General of the Federation AGF, fail to comply with the request, he will apply for an order of court to compel the AGF’s office to grant him access to the information.

He said: “Take Notice that you are obligated within Seven (7) days of the receipt of this Application to furnish the information sought to this office; failing which we shall apply for an Order of the Federal High Court compelling you to allow us access to the information”.

“Also take further Notice that failure or refusal or neglect to furnish us with the information sought attracts payment of the sum of N500, 000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only as penalty.Trusting that you will comply to avoid payment of the said penalty and the unpleasantness of protracted litigation”.