Latest
SERAP sues Sani, Wike, others ‘over failure to account for N5.9trn, $4.6bn loans
Published
2 weeks agoon
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike “over their failure to account for N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion loans obtained by their states and the FCT, and to publish copies of the loan agreements, including details and locations of projects executed with the loans.”
The suit followed the disclosure last month by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State that the immediate past administration of Nasir El-Rufai left $587m, N85bn debt and 115 contractual liabilities, making it impossible for the state to pay salaries.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/592/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel the governors and Mr Wike to account for N5.9trn and $4.6bn loans obtained by their states and the FCT and to publish copies of the loan agreements, location of projects executed with the loans.”
SERAP is also asking the court to “direct and compel the governors and Mr Wike to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission [ICPC] to investigate the spending of all the loans obtained to date by their states and the FCT.”
READ ALSO: SERAP sues NNPC over failure to account for ‘missing $2.04bn, N164bn oil revenues’
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that, “It is in the public interest to grant the reliefs sought. Nigerians have the right to see and scrutinise the loan agreements and know the details of how the domestic and external loans obtained by the governors and FCT minister are spent.”
According to SERAP, “Opacity in the spending of the loans obtained by the governors and Mr Wike would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Many states and the FCT are reportedly spending public funds which may include the loans obtained by them to fund unnecessary travels, buy exotic and bulletproof cars and generally fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Many states and the FCT are also allegedly mismanaging public funds which may include domestic and external loans obtained from bilateral and multilateral institutions and agencies.”
According to SERAP, “Many states and the FCT reportedly owe civil servants’ salaries and pensions. Several states are borrowing to pay salaries. Millions of Nigerians resident in the state and FCT continue to be denied access to basic public goods and services such as quality education and healthcare.”
According to SERAP, “Transparency in the spending of the loans obtained by the states and FCT is fundamental to increase accountability, prevent corruption, and build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.”
READ ALSO: SERAP protests FG must drop cybercrimes charges against Chioma Okoli
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “States and the FCT should be guided by transparency and accountability principles and proactively account for the loans obtained and publish copies of the loan agreements.”
“The constitutional principle of democracy also provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know the details of loan agreements and how the loans obtained are spent. Citizens’ right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability that is in turn crucial for the country’s democratic order.”
“The effective operation of representative democracy depends on the people being able to scrutinize, discuss and contribute to government decision making, including on the spending of loans obtained by the states and FCT.”
“To do this, they need information to enable them to participate more effectively in the management of public funds by their state governments and the FCT.”
“The public interest in obtaining information about expenditures relating to the loans obtained by the states and FCT outweighs any privacy or other interest.”
“The oversight afforded by public access to such details would serve as an important check on the activities of the states and FCT and help to prevent abuses of the public trust.
“Many years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds including the loans obtained by the states and FCT have contributed to widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
You may like
Gov Otti commissions 10.98km Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Rivers
Fubara swears in new Rivers Attorney General, vows to probe Wike’s administration
Wike Vs Gov Fubara: Again Rivers State and The ‘Familiar Spirit’ Tussle
Atiku arrives for PDP NEC meeting
Wike holds PDP in firm control while serving in APC govt, as Party holds NEC meeting
SERAP sues Akpabio ‘over failure to recall Ningi, refer N3.7trn budget padding to EFCC, ICPC’
Trending
- Latest1 week ago
One shot as detained soldiers break out of ‘overcrowded cells’ to protest poor feeding
- Aviation5 days ago
Keyamo engages Air France-KLM, advocates affordable low fare offers
- News2 days ago
Yahaya Bello’s Wife, Amina Oyiza Bello disqualified from being appointed Judge
- Featured5 days ago
Anambra State gets new Police Commissioner
- Covid-196 days ago
How big pharma paid us to vaccinate children—Pediatrician
- News1 week ago
Court sacks pro-Wike lawmakers in Rivers
- Featured3 days ago
AGAIN! Another Commissioner resigns in Rivers
- Crime3 days ago
Update: I was kidnapped, laced with explosives to rob bank – Plateau suspect