A Civil Society Organization, Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative (CAACASVI) has sued the Bank of Industry (BOI) for non-disclosure of information, under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
The group through its Legal Counsel President Aigbokhan Esq, had obtained court order from the Federal High Court, Abuja to access the information from BOI on Thursday.
Comrade Olumuyiwa Onlede, Executive Director of CAACASVI while briefing journalists in Abuja disclosed that the organisation whose primary objectives include Anti Corruption, monitoring and evaluation had sought information relating to activities of Bank of Industry (BOI) an intervention agency, in a bid to enlighten the citizens of Nigeria about activities of agencies.
According to him, the group had requested from BOI the list of loan beneficiaries from the inception of the bank in year 2001 till date.
He added that the group also sought to be furnished with the list of defaulters of those same loans.
“Defaulters who as a matter of fact had indirectly or directly deprived other citizens and businesses from benefiting from the facilities in a bid to improve the Nigeria manufacturing sector.
“The Formal request made by the group was dated 7, August, 2020 marked as exhibit.
“The Bank of Industry reply dated 13th August, 2020 and marked as exhibit .C.
“The BOI had declined to provide the information requested by the group, with the excuse they do not take allocation from the federal government and also not a revenue generating agency.
“But not satisfied with the response CAACASVI approached the federal high court seeking an interpretation of relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act that mandated even private bodies in Nigeria providing public services, performing public functions or authorising public funds according to Section 31 of FOI ACT 2011 to divulge relevant information to groups.
“And individuals on request when necessary for the purpose of Transparency and Accountability.”
Onlede said that the group also prayed to the honourable court to compel Bank of Industry (BOI) to release certified true copies of all information sought by the organisation for the purpose of evaluation and appraisal of BOI from inception for Nigerians to know and be aware.
Delivering her judgement, Honourable Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha of Federal High Court Abuja on 9th December, 2020 granted the order sought by the applicant.
The judge ordered the respondent to be served before 22nd of December, 2020 and also for the applicant to go ahead and file the originating summons.
She further adjourned the case to 9th of March, 2021.