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The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has sued Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, for failing to provide information on details of contracts and agreements signed between the Federal Government and China with regard to loans obtained for railway projects in Nigeria.
Riding on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, CSJ had on March 21, 2019 written the minister seeking information on copies of the signed contract agreements, documentation and evidence of the exact railway routes being funded by the loans.
In a statement issued by Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, it asked Amaechi to provide documents evidencing the specific amount borrowed, terms of the loans, interest rate and repayment details.
It also asked for any moratorium or amortisation period, penalties and sanction in the event of default; government repayment plans and the cost-benefit-analysis backing the credits.
The group explained that it did so after expiration of the time provided by the FoI Act to respond and failing to provide the required information, CSJ filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/441/2019-Centre for Social Justice ((LTD/GTE)) Vs the Minister of Transportation for a declaration that denying the applicant access to information on the contracts and agreements between the Federal Government and China for loans to build railways in Nigeria without explanation was an infringement of the applicant’s right guaranteed under section 1 (1) of the FoI Act 2011.
The group further sought an order of mandamus compelling the respondent to grant the applicant access to information on the contracts and agreements between Nigeria and China for the facility.
It also sought an order compelling the respondent to pay to the applicant N1, 000,000 as damages for denying applicant access to information, among other prayers.
