In efforts to review the half a decade compliance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a
Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence
and Corruption-MIIVOC, has invoked Act, demanding for details of Annual Compliance Reports by Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government between year 2011 and 2016, reports ITRealms.
The request signed by MIIVOC’s FOI Officer, Phillip Inyang, the group in a 6-point demand on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, said its in pursuant to section 29 of the Freedom of
Information Act, 2011, which provides that “Public Institutions shall submit to
the Attorney General of the Federation, a report which shall cover the
preceding fiscal year…”
Inyang in a letter dated 7th February, 2017, entitled:
Request for details of Annual Compliance Reports by MDAs, status of Senate
Order of Arrest of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and details of the
regulation submitted to the International Community at the Egmont Meeting on
Nigeria’s AML/CFT Compliance among others.
“We are concerned about the low compliance level with the Freedom
of Information (FOI) Act by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the
Federal Government, the raging controversy over the whereabouts of immediate
past EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and the status of the arrest warrant issued
by the Senate on him as well as the Regulation allegedly issued by the
immediate past Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke SAN
and submitted to the Egmont group on the situation with Nigeria’s Anti-money
laundering and counter-financing of terrorism compliance.”
“Considering the controversy trailing the above and more, we
invoke the FOI Act, 2011 to demand for clarifications.”
“A Certified True Copy of the details of Annual Compliance Reports
by MDAs with the FOI Act from 2011 to 2015. The record should include: names of
MDAs, compliance status, date of submission of report and all other relevant
details.”
“An information on why the Honourable Attorney General of the
Federation and Minister for Justice (AGF) is yet to direct the Inspector
General of Police to arrest/produce Ibrahim Lamorde, former EFCC boss to give
account of his stewardship, as ordered by the Senate.”
“An information on why the purported Order of Court (if any)
restraining the Senate/Federal Government from investigating, arresting and
prosecuting former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, over allegations of corruption
has not been challenged.”
“A certified true copy of the Guideline allegedly submitted to the
Egmont group of FIUs by the immediate past Attorney General and Minister for
Justice on Nigeria’s compliance level with international requirements on
CFT/AML.”
“An update on the fate and present status of Nigeria on compliance
with International requirements on CFT/AML?”
“Details on the situation with Nigeria’s quest
to become a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), having applied.”
The demand for Annual Compliance Report of MDAs
may not be unconnected with an earlier decision from a MIIVOC- organized FOI
Roundtable in December, 2016, wherein participants resolved to embark on a
Class Action; involving the joining of hundreds of Public Institutions in a
legal Suit for violation of the FOI law.
Pix: Mallami and Lamorde
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