Group drags Fashola to court over FOI

A human rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has dragged the Lagos State Government over “alleged failure” to release information on its spending on education in the past five years.

The suit which was filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos is yet to be assigned to a judge.

A copy of the originating summons with suit number FHC/L/CS/57/2014 which was filed on Jan. 16 was released on Wednesday by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni.

Gov. Babatunde Fashola, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye are joined as first and second defendants respectively.

The suit followed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Fashola seeking him to release information and documents on the spending on furniture and other facilities in public schools.

The schools included Ewutuntun Grammar School in Mafoluku area of Oshodi; Ikeja Grammar School; Iloro Grammar School in Agege and Fagba Junior Grammar School, Iju Road.

The suit was filed pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, and signed by SERAP’s counsel, Ms Oyindamola Musa.

SERAP is asking the court to compel the government to release information on spending of the World Bank loan of $90 million meant to improve education in the state’s 639 public secondary schools.

The group also wants the government to release details of projects carried out to improve infrastructure and facilities across primary and secondary education in Lagos State.

It argued that it had the right to request for the information under Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

SERAP said the disclosure of the information requested would give the general public a true picture of how much the government had spent to improve education and also promote transparency.

It asked the court for a declaration that Fashola was under a binding legal obligation to provide SERAP with up to date information as requested in the FOI letter dated Dec.1, 2013.

SERAP also asked for an order of mandamus compelling Fashola to rescind the suspension of any principal who had allowed journalists to cover the decay infrastructures across public schools in the state.