In a groundbreaking judgment, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the disclosure of spending details related to over N200bn public funds collected by the former government of Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The funds were sourced from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and allocations from the Federation Accounts. The court directed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to provide information on budgetary allocations, actual spending, and specific projects carried out to improve primary education in Delta State between 2015 and 2019.
The judgment was delivered in response to a Freedom of Information suit brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The court upheld SERAP’s right to inquire about public funds management and stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in governance.
The suit followed the case of a seven-year-old girl, Success Adegor, who was sent home from Okotie-Eboh Primary School due to her parents’ inability to pay an illegal school fee. In a viral video, she lamented the poor quality of her school and the harsh treatment faced by students.
The court ordered the Delta State government to disclose how over N7.28 billion received from UBEC between 2015 and 2017 and N213 billion received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2018 were spent, averaging N17.8 billion monthly. Additionally, the government must provide details of projects aimed at improving access to free and quality primary education, welfare initiatives for children, fee-free programs, and projects benefiting children with disabilities.
The court dismissed objections raised by the Delta State government, UBEC, and the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, asserting that SERAP’s request for information was legitimate and aligned with the Freedom of Information Act. It further emphasized the need for public institutions to be accountable for their actions.
In response to the judgment, SERAP urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to respect and obey the court’s ruling and promptly provide the requested information. The organization stressed that complying with the judgment would send a strong message about holding public officials accountable, even after leaving office.
