SERAP sues CBN for non-disclosure of B’Haram sponsors

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project on Tuesday asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria to name the persons funding the Boko Haram sect.

The group, in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1547/2014, argued that it would only be fair for the CBN to expose the sponsors in the light of the unlawful killings of innocent Nigerians and the continued destruction of properties by the insurgents.

SERAP explained that the suit was necessitated by the alleged refusal of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to oblige its request for the list, Boko Haram sponsors identified in line with the Freedom of Information Bill.

It further argued that the continued denial by the CBN was in opposition to social justice since “the subject matter bothers on an issue of national interest, public peace and security, public concern, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability.”

It insisted that the CBN had nothing to lose if the information was made available to it.

According to the group, being a public institution, the CBN is legally bound to oblige its request for information on the persons who allegedly laundered money through the bank for the purpose of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect.

In its originating summons, SERAP argued, “By virtue of Section 4 (a) of the FOI Act, when a person makes a request for information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or agency to whom the application is directed is under a binding legal obligation to provide the plaintiff with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within seven days after the application is received.

“The information requested for by the plaintiff does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act.

“CBN has so far failed, refused and/or neglected to provide the plaintiff with the details of the information requested.

“By virtue of Section 1(1) of the FOI Act 2011, the plaintiff is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution.”

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

                                 punchng