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International Day Of Access to Information:CITAD condemns hoarding by MDA’S

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5 years ago

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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a National nongovernmental organization using ICT for development and information sharing to promote transparency and accountability in public and private sector, promote peace and mitigate conflict, foster good governance and societal wellbeing is joining millions of people over the world in celebrating the 2020 International Day for Universal Access to Information with the theme “In times of crisis, constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information save lives, build trust and help develop sustainable policies”.

In a statement by Ibrahim Nuhu Acting Programmes Coordinator of the centre said each year the World Access to Information day is observed around the world on 28 September.

International  Day Of Peace: CITAD calls for Use of Technology to enhance Peace

The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to compliance of the release of information, as a critical tool for accountability and transparency which are the ingredients for every growth and development.

According to Ibrahim Nuhu the Freedom of Information Act was a product of collaboration between citizens, organised civic actors and government.

It was passed by both chambers of the 6th National Assembly on 24th May 2011 and assented by the then President on 28th May, 2011.

The underlying philosophy of the Act is that public servants are custodians of a public trust on behalf of a population who have a right to know what they do.

In particular, the FOI Act promises to remove the aura of mystery and exclusion with which public servants cloak the ordinary operations of government and public institutions.

It also seeks to change the manner in which public records and information are managed.

The Act builds on an assumption of openness, by placing on those who wish to keep public information away from the people, the onus of justifying why they have to do so.

If fully implemented, the FOI Act will transform quite fundamentally the way in which government conducts business and the perception of the people towards the government.

 

The Freedom of Information Act has two main objectives, namely
Promote accountability
Enable citizens participation in decision making
Both of these cannot be achieved without information.

In particular, decision making is based on having the right information to make an informed contribution to debate. It is important to remember that accountability is at the root of modern representative democracy.

Because of scale and complexity of issues, we cannot all directly take part in decision making and therefore have to surrender this right to our representatives who in turn must render accountability in return.

 

The three dimensions of Accountability; Representation, Resource management and Information flow require exchange of information between the governments and givers of mandate.

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In particular, lack of information makes it difficult to assess the extent to which governments manage resources and determine what the benefits of the people are.

It is this opacity of information that creates the condition for corruption to strive. Information flow is thus a critical condition for transparency and for curtailing corruption in governance.

In accordance with FOI, Public and Private Institutions have the responsibilities to
Capture records and keep information about all its activities, operations and businesses
Keep records by proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody, and make it available by publishing or otherwise make this information to the public In Nigeria, often government officials are reluctant to provide even the most elementary information at their disposal.

It is very disheartening seeing the behaviour and attitudes of government officials when it comes to prior disclosure and even with the written request of information at their disposal by the citizens. These make it difficult in bringing sanity to the governments’ expenditures when tracking and accountability as well as transparency in governance.

The refusal of the prompt disclosure and request of the information by the government officials is a clear violation of the FOI Act and denial of growth and development.

 

To this end, CITAD strongly condemn the lack of respect of the law and FOI Act by the MDAs.

CITAD has been tracking various projects at national and state levels using the FOI requesting relevant information for the tracking but unfortunately some of the MDAs concerned are refusing us access.

As part of our effort in tracking government uncompleted projects, youth are involved and given prizes by reporting any uncompleted project in their communities, and we ensure publication of such and reporting it to the relevant authorities for action. Here are our recommendations:

All MDAs should secure and update their websites and ensure functionality at all times
Proactive Disclosure of real and relevant information or records must be made available always

Total compliance to the citizens requests must be emphasized by the authorities and legal sector should facilitate the sanctions and punishment in case of failure .

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) should plan to create pressure on the agency in case it fails to provide the information within the stipulated time and prepare to share the request with media organizations, other groups who may have interest in the information and relevant communities who are affected by what the information tells.

 

This is important because failure to provide the information means you can challenge that in a court of law.

 

Adopting a comprehensive FOI Act is a major step towards entrenching an open government, one in which Nigerians can have an active voice in the process of governance and policy decisions. This can only happen with full and effective implementation of the law. The success of the Freedom of Information Act is dependent on a partnership between the government, the media, civil society and the private sector.

The general populace would need to be less resistance to openness as continued resistance would severely impede the effectiveness of the law. Opening up government would greatly enhance the lives of Nigerians and can only bring about positive changes. Transparency in government would streamline government processes, improve bureaucratic efficiency, reduce corruption and support economic growth and foreign investments.

So, we are using this day to call on government officials, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), individuals, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to partner one another in ensuring ease flow of information for progress, growth and development.

 

CITAD wants to end this statement by enjoining people of Nigeria to be tracking all government projects and report any deviation to the authority concern so that we strengthen access to health, education and justice, and can contribute towards reduced inequalities.

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Supreme Court Nullifies Tinubu’s Pardon, Restores Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence

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3 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has set aside the presidential pardon granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, the Abuja woman convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute.

In 2020, the Federal Capital Territory High Court sentenced Sanda to death by hanging, a verdict later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

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In contrast, President Tinubu had subsequently commuted the sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

However, in a narrow 4–1 judgment delivered on December 12, 2025, the Supreme Court restored the initial death sentence. The apex court dismissed Sanda’s final appeal, ruling that it lacked merit and failed to undermine the findings of the lower courts.

Reading the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Sanda unlawfully caused the death of her husband.

He described the presidential pardon as an inappropriate exercise of executive power, particularly because the clemency was issued while the appeal process in a homicide case was still ongoing.

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Alleged Fraud: Late President Buhari’s Minister of Labour, Ngige, Landed in Kuje Prison

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3 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On Friday, an Abuja High Court remanded a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application.

The Nigerian Tracker News had earlier reported his arrest by the EFCC on Wednesday.

The Crime’s Commission arraigned Ngige on Friday over alleged N2.2 billion fraud.

The one-time governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige, is facing eight count charges of fraud and accepting bribes.

The defendant served as the governor of Anambra under platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006.

He served as minister under former and late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

He is being prosecuted for fraud, which he allegedly committed during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment.

The EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.

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EFCC alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.

Other companies he awarded contracts include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161million respectively.

According to the EFCC, these offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Also, the anti-graft agency accused Ngige of collecting gratifications from contractors of the NSITF through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”

The EFCC further alleged that Ngige collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.

This according to EFCC contravened section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and is punishable under section 17(c) of the same Act.

He however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand Ngige at Kuje Custodial Centre.

However, counsel to Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, noted that they were only informed of the arraignment yesterday and could not file for his bail application.

Ikwueto urged the court to give Ngige a conditional bail on health grounds.

He also attempted to move for an oral bail application for the defendant on self-recognition.
Tahir noted that the court could not be presented with both a written and oral application.

He also noted that Ngige is yet to submit his international passport, which was part of his previous bail conditions.

Ikweto, however, noted that Ngige’s international passport was stolen, and the EFCC has been informed through a letter.

Tahir denied knowledge about the report.

Following their submissions, Justice, Maryam Hassan, ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Hassan adjourned the case until Monday for hearing and determination of his bail application.

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One Kano Agenda Announces Two-Day Economic and Political Conference

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9 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The One Kano Agenda movement has announced plans to host a two-day economic and political conference in Kano State, reaffirming its commitment to unity, progress, and sustainable development.

In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Dangambo, the group emphasized that the initiative is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the state to deliberate on strategies that will reposition Kano as a hub of economic growth and political stability.

Commitment to Unity and Progress
According to the statement, One Kano Agenda is rooted in inclusiveness, civic consciousness, and forward-thinking leadership. The movement stressed that its guiding principle remains simple: “Kano’s future must be built by all of us, and benefitted by all of us.”

Day One: Economic Summit
The first day of the conference will feature the Kano Economic Summit, focusing on:
– Repositioning Kano as a regional economic powerhouse
– Strengthening local industries, SMEs, and the commerce sector
– Attracting investment and rebuilding economic confidence
– Learning from successful models such as Lagos State’s long-term development vision
– Mapping out an actionable roadmap for Kano’s economic revival

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Organizers noted that the summit is expected to stimulate critical conversations and partnerships that will support job creation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, and broader wealth-creation opportunities for citizens.

Day Two: Political Dialogue
The second day will be dedicated to the Kano Political Dialogue, which will address:
– Strengthening political participation and leadership quality
– Promoting youth involvement and political re-orientation
– Reducing political manipulation and violence
– Encouraging issue-based politics grounded in development
– Building a united, peaceful, and politically stable Kano State

The dialogue aims to reshape mindsets, deepen democratic culture, and ensure that politics in Kano becomes a vehicle for progress rather than division.

Why the Conference Matters
The One Kano Agenda described the gathering as a “needed intervention at a decisive moment in the state’s history.” Kano, it said, stands at a crossroads, and the future desired by its people can only be achieved through deliberate planning, honest dialogue, and collaborative action.

“The conference will provide a platform for meaningful engagement, innovative ideas, and a united voice in charting Kano’s next chapter,” the statement read.

Call to Action
The movement called on professionals, youth, community leaders, religious institutions, business owners, and the general public to participate actively in the initiative.

“Together, we can redefine our future. Together, we are One Kano,” the statement concluded.

 

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