Metro

Court Orders Buhari’s Minister To Account For N729bn Payment To Poor Nigerians

Published

12 months ago

July 7, 2024

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Sadia Umar-Farouk, to account for payments of N729bn to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months.

The court also ordered the former minister to provide the list and details of the beneficiaries who received the payments, the number of states covered and the payments per state.

The judgment was delivered last month by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/L/CS/853/2021, brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

This was disclosed in a statement by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who noted that the certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last Friday.

He stated that in his judgment, Justice Dipeolu held that, “The former minister is compelled by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to give information to any person including SERAP. I therefore grant an order of mandamus directing and compelling the minister to provide the spending details of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians in 2021.”

Justice Dipeolu ordered the minister to “provide SERAP with details of how the beneficiaries have been selected and the mechanisms for the payments to the beneficiaries.”

The judge also ordered the minister to “explain the rationale for paying N5,000 to 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which translates to five percent of Nigeria’s budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021.”

Justice Dipeolu also stated that, “The minister did not give any reason for the refusal to disclose the details sought by SERAP. SERAP has reeled out the relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 that the minister contravened and has in line with sections 20 and 25(1) of the Act prayed this Court for an order of mandamus to direct and compel the minister to provide the information sought.”

The judge dismissed the objections raised by the minister’s counsel and upheld SERAP’s arguments. Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of SERAP against the minister.

Justice Dipeolu’s judgment, dated 27 June, 2024, read in part: “where a statute clearly provides for a particular act to be done or performed in a particular way, failure to perform the act as provided will not only be interpreted as a delinquent conduct but will be interpreted as not complying with the statutory provision.”

“The minister filed a preliminary objection to this suit dated the 4th of October 2022 and a counter-affidavit to SERAP’s motion on notice. I will first deal with the minister’s preliminary objection because it bothers on the jurisdiction of this Court to entertain this suit.”

“The grounds upon which the preliminary objection was filed are: whether this suit is not incompetent having not been commenced within 30 days after SERAP’s request for information was deemed to have been denied.”

“Having not complied with the provision of section 20 of the Freedom of Information, whether this Court can assume jurisdiction to entertain SERAP’s application.”

“As arguments on both issues, the minister’s counsel submitted that by the provision of section 4,7(4) and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, subject to lawful exceptions within the Act, a public institution has 7 days to grant a request for information, failure of which would be deemed denial.”

“SERAP’s request was deemed denied on 6th July, which is the expiration of 7 days. Therefore, SERAP has 30 days pursuant to section 20 of the Act to apply to this Court.”

“SERAP’s 30 days within which to bring this suit expired on 5th of August 2021, whilst the motion on notice was filed on the 9th of November 2021, outside the 30 days stipulated by the Act. Consequently, this suit is statute barred.”

“In response, SERAP’s counsel argued that this suit was not commenced via the motion of notice dated 8th November 2021. This suit was initiated by a motion exparte dated 13th July 2021 but filed on the 15th of July 2021, after the expiration of the 7 days period required of the minister to respond to the FOI request by SERAP.”

“This is in compliance with section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act and Order 34 Rule 3(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.”

“The above are the submissions of counsel as regards the preliminary objection by the minister. I agree with SERAP’s counsel that the minister did not carry out a proper search of the casefile before filing the preliminary objection.”

“It is obvious that SERAP commenced this suit via a motion exparte dated 13th of July 2021 but filed 15th of July 2021, which is well within the time to file this action after the denial of the information requested from the minister.”

“SERAP complied with section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act in filing this suit. Therefore, this suit is not statute barred and I dismiss the minister’s preliminary objection. I so hold.”

SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “This ground-breaking judgment is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds.”

“Justice Dipeolu’s judgment shows the urgent need for the Tinubu government to genuinely address the systemic allegations of corruption in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development and other ministries, departments and agencies, as documented by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

“We commend Justice Dipeolu for her courage and wisdom, and urge President Bola Tinubu to immediately obey the court orders.”

Femi Falana, SAN said on the judgment: “SERAP deserves the commendation of all well-meaning people that have agonised over reports of systemic corruption in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development and in other MDAs.”

“This is one of the most patriotic public interest litigation ever undertaken in Nigeria. We call on the Tinubu government to use the judgment as the basis for comprehensively addressing cases of corruption in the ministry and bringing to justice those suspected to be responsible as well as recovering proceeds of corruption.”

In the letter dated 6 July 2024 sent to President Bola Tinubu on the judgment, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court.”

SERAP’s letter, read in part: “We urge you to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately compile and release the spending details of the N729 billion as ordered by the court.”

“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment by your government will be a victory for the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the governance processes and management of public resources including the N729 billion.”

“By immediately complying with the judgment, your government will be demonstrating to Nigerians that it is different from the Buhari government, which persistently and brazenly defied the country’s judiciary, and sending a powerful message to politicians and others that there will be no impunity for grand corruption.”

“Immediately implementing the judgment will restore trust and confidence in the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary. SERAP urges you to make a clean break with the past and take clear and decisive steps that demonstrate your commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the governance processes.”

“SERAP trusts that you will see compliance with this judgment as a central aspect of the rule of law; an essential stepping stone to constructing a basic institutional framework for legality and constitutionality. We therefore look forward to your positive response and action on the judgment.”

The suit was filed against the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development. The suit followed the minister’s decision in January 2021 to “pay about 24.3 million poor Nigerians N5,000 each for a period of six months to provide help to those impoverished by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Metro

Gunmen Kill 10 In Anambra Community

Published

16 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Panic has gripped the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, late on Monday, when some assailants invaded a gathering of people and opened fire on them.

The gunmen were said to have killed no fewer than 13 people.

It was gathered that the armed hoodlums stormed the area in two Sport Utility Vehicles and unprovokedly attacked the people, who were holding their monthly general meeting, while also shooting indiscriminately into the air.

Although members of the community said 13 persons were killed during the attack, police sources, however, confirmed 10 were killed.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, a resident of the area and the President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, Chigozie Nweke, said non-indigenes were mostly the victims of the attack.

Nweke said, “It was a tragic and horrifying Monday evening for members of the Ogboji community, particularly non-indigenes residing in the area, as gunmen stormed a meeting venue in the area and brutally murdered about 13 persons.

“The attack, which occurred between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, left the affected families in mourning. We bring to the attention of the Anambra State Government the killing of these persons, mostly indigenes of Ebonyi State at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area by yet to be identified gunmen.”

Nweke also appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, to mobilise the Command’s personnel to hunt down the culprits.

Narrating his ordeal in the incident, a survivor, Augustine Odom, who is the chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, described the attack as “sudden and unprovoked”.

Odom said, “The community was holding its regular monthly meeting when the assailants struck. We were having our monthly meeting of the Ebonyi community, which holds on the last Monday of every month, beginning at 4:00pm.

“This gathering was known to our Town Union President. It was a peaceful meeting aimed at discussing welfare issues affecting our members. Then, around 6:30pm, a group of gunmen arrived in a Sienna vehicle and accused us of holding a meeting against them.

“The attackers demanded the group’s minutes book, and thereafter seized it and opened fire on the participants. They collected our minutes book, ordered everyone to lie down, and then asked the chairman to stand. Moments later, they started shooting at us. About 13 of our members were killed on the spot. The treasurer and I survived with gunshot wounds.”

Odom added that those killed were from various communities in Ebonyi State, including Izzi, Ikwo, and Mgbo and other villages.

The two survivors, who are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in the area, expressed shock, stating that they had no known disputes with any individual or group prior to the attack, adding, “We have no issues with anyone. We are law-abiding residents who simply gathered to support one another.”

Confirming the development when contacted on Tuesday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives have cordoned off the area while investigations have begun to unmask the perpetrators behind the dastardly act.

Ikenga said the victims were rushed to the hospital, where about 10 were confirmed dead.

He added that their corpses have been deposited at the morgue.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the indiscriminate shooting incident that resulted in fatal injuries and fatalities to ten persons on the evening of 30th June, 2025, at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The Police has further assured that the Command shall hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The armed criminals came in two Sport Utility Vehicles and attacked the gathering of a group unprovokedly, shooting sporadically.

“The victims were rushed to the hospital and regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead. The bodies have been deposited in the morgue.

“Meanwhile, the Police-led security team has taken over the scene and is working on the necessary information to arrest the perpetrators. Further development would be communicated, please.”
(PUNCH)

Metro

EFCC Arrests 31 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Nasarawa

Published

17 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 31 individuals in Nasarawa State over alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday via X, noting that the suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa Toto, following credible intelligence.

“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in Nasarawa State.

“They were arrested on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Nasarawa Toto, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences,” the statement read.

According to the EFCC, several exotic phones and laptops were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The commission added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Metro

30-year-old Man Hacks Mother To Death

Published

17 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

A tragic incident of matricide has shaken the community of Dantanoma quarters in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State, as a 30-year-old man, Hussaini Abubakar, killed his mother.

The incident occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at about 8:00 pm, when operatives of the Gumel Divisional Police Headquarters received a direct complaint regarding a violent assault involving a mother and her son.

In a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Tuesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said a 30-year-old man brutally killed his 75-year-old mother, Dahara Mu’azu.

The statement reads, “Upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered that the suspect had brutally attacked and killed his mother by repeatedly striking her head with mud blocks.

“The victim was found in a pool of blood with severe head injuries and was immediately rushed to the Gumel General Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, a medical doctor on duty confirmed that the elderly woman had died on June 30, 2025.”

According to the PPRO, the suspect, Abubakar, has been arrested and is currently in police custody, cooperating with investigators, adding that, “He (suspect) will be charged to court upon completion of a discreet investigation.”

The statement contained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmad Abdullahi, condemned the heinous act in the strongest terms, describing it as inhuman, barbaric, and utterly reprehensible.

Furthermore, the CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to take over the case and ensure that the suspect faces the full wrath of the law.

However, the Jigawa State Police Command said the incident deeply saddens it and has called on members of the public to always report early signs of mental health crises or domestic violence to the nearest police station or community leaders, to prevent avoidable tragedies.

SP Adam also said that the command remains committed to upholding law and order, protecting lives, and ensuring justice for victims of crime across the state.

“The police urge the public to support their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state,” he added.

Accordingly, the Jigawa Police Public Relations Officer noted that “the command is committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and visitors to the state.”

He therefore urged the public to cooperate with the police in their efforts to prevent and investigate crimes. Saying, stressing further that “Together, we can build a safer and more secure community for all.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for justice for the victim and her family.

When contacted via telephone by our correspondent, Sule Baba, a neighbour of the victim said, “I am appalled by the brutality and senseless killing of the 75-year-old woman by her own son,”

“As a community, we are shocked and disturbed by this heinous act, and we demand justice for the victim and her family. The authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law.” said, and emphasized the need for increased vigilance and community support to prevent such incidents in the future.

Also, Aminu Lawan, a member of the community, expressed similar outrage and concern, saying that “this incident is a wake-up call for our community leaders and law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures to address mental health issues and domestic conflicts.”

Lawan called on the Jigawa State Police Command and other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
(PUNCH)