A Civil Society Organisation, Media Initiative
against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC, has invoked the Freedom of
Information Act in demanding for details of Annual Compliance Reports by Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government with the FOI Act,
from 2011 to 2016.
MIIVOC made the demand, pursuant to section 29 of
the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, which provides that “Public Institutions
shall submit to the Attorney General of the Federation, a report which shall cover
the preceding fiscal year…”
In a letter dated 7th February, 2017,
entitled: Request for details of Annual Compliance Reports by MDAs, status of
Senate Order of Arrest of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and details of
the regulation submitted to the International Community at the Egmont Meeting
on Nigeria’s AML/CFT Compliance; a request under the FOI Act, and signed by
MIIVOC’s FOI Officer, Phillip Inyang, MIIVOC made a 6-point demand on the
Attorney General of the Federation and Mister for Justice.
“We are concerned about the low compliance level
with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by Ministries, Departments and
Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government, the raging controversy over the
whereabouts of immediate past EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and the status of
the arrest warrant issued by the Senate on him as well as the Regulation
allegedly issued by the immediate past Attorney General and Minister for
Justice, Mohammed Adoke SAN and submitted to the Egmont group on the situation
with Nigeria’s Anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism
compliance.”
“Considering the controversy trailing the above
and more, we invoke the FOI Act, 2011 to demand for clarifications.”
“A Certified True Copy of the details of Annual
Compliance Reports by MDAs with the FOI Act from 2011 to 2015. The record
should include: names of MDAs, compliance status, date of submission of report
and all other relevant details.”
“An information on why the Honourable Attorney
General of the Federation and Minister for Justice (AGF) is yet to direct the
Inspector General of Police to arrest/produce Ibrahim Lamorde, former EFCC boss
to give account of his stewardship, as ordered by the Senate.”
“An information on why the purported Order of
Court (if any) restraining the Senate/Federal Government from investigating,
arresting and prosecuting former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, over allegations
of corruption has not been challenged.”
“A certified true copy of the Guideline allegedly
submitted to the Egmont group of FIUs by the immediate past Attorney General
and Minister for Justice on Nigeria’s compliance level with international
requirements on CFT/AML.”
“An update on the fate and present status of
Nigeria on compliance with International requirements on CFT/AML?”
“Details on the situation with Nigeria’s quest to become a member
of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), having applied.”
The demand for Annual Compliance Report of MDAs may not be
unconnected with an earlier decision from a MIIVOC- organized FOI Roundtable in
December, 2016, wherein participants resolved to embark on a Class Action;
involving the joining of hundreds of Public Institutions in a legal Suit for
violation of the FOI law.
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