HOURS after a court in Lagos ordered the federal
government to “immediately” publish personal details of those that law
enforcement agencies have recovered funds from since President Muhammadu Buhari
launched his anti-corruption war shortly after assuming office.
“The Federal Government has a legally binding
obligation to tell Nigerians the names of all suspected looters of the public
treasury past and present,” the presiding judge, Hadiza Shagari, said in suit
number: FHC/CS/964/2016.
The Freedom of Information suit was filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project,
SERAP after the Minister of
Information, Lai Mohammed, turned down its FoI requests for details of those
that returned cash and other assets to federal coffers.
The Buhari administration has identified some issues
that must be clarified before details of suspected looters of the country’s
treasury could be disclosed.
Asked about the administration’s commitment to
publishing names of those from whom various amounts were recovered since the
administration came onboard two years ago, Attorney-General Abubakar Malami
said the government remained committed to unmasking such individuals, but would
only do so after all legal concerns had been addressed.
“The disclosure will definitely be made, but it is
contingent on reconciliation of associated considerations as they relate to
subjudice principles,” Mr. Malami told State House reporters shortly after
Federal Executive Council meeting.
Other issues “as they relate to reconciliation and
confirmation of figures,” must also be addressed, Mr. Malami said.
Once the stated issues have been resolved, the
government will commence piecemeal disclosure of the names of the suspects, Mr.
Malami added.
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