The Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management, and Social Development, to account for N729 billion disbursed to 24.3 million poor Nigerians over six months. The court also required her to provide the list and details of beneficiaries, the number of states involved, and the distribution of payments across those states.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu in June, was in response to a Freedom of Information suit (FHC/L/CS/853/2021) filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). SERAP obtained the certified true copy of the judgment last Friday.

Justice Dipeolu stated that the former minister is obligated under the Freedom of Information Act to disclose the requested information. Consequently, he issued an order of mandamus, compelling the minister to provide the details of the N729 billion expenditure. The judge also instructed the minister to explain the selection process for beneficiaries and the payment mechanisms used. Additionally, the rationale for disbursing N5,000 to each of the 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which constitutes 5% of Nigeria’s 2021 budget of N13.6 trillion, must be clarified.

The judge noted that the minister failed to justify her refusal to disclose the information sought by SERAP. She upheld SERAP’s arguments and dismissed the objections raised by the minister’s counsel, thereby ruling in favor of SERAP.

Reacting to the judgment, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, hailed the ruling as a significant victory for transparency and accountability in public fund expenditure. He emphasized the need for the Tinubu administration to address systemic corruption within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other government agencies.

In a letter dated July 6, 2024, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, SERAP urged immediate compliance with the court's orders. They requested the President to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Attorney General's office to release the details of the N729 billion expenditure as mandated by the court. The organization stressed that enforcing the judgment would demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law, transparency, and accountability in managing public resources.