Indigenes of Ekiti State under the auspices of a socio-political organisation, Ekiti Patriotic Consultative Forum have approached the State High Court for an order of Mandamus, compelling the government to release all documents, including financial records and loans, relating to the Ekiti Cargo Airport project.
Nigerian Tribune had reported that the airport project located along Ado-Ijan road was commissioned without the basic equipment by the former governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi alongside ex-minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika on October 15, 2022.
But eighteen months after a military aircraft, marked ATR-42, belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, touched down during the highly publicized event. Since then, no aircraft has landed or taken off from the airport.
The present administration in the state under, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has, however, continued to work on the projects with support from other personalities in the state towards the successful completion of the airport project for flight operations.
The lead solicitor to the group, Oluwagbenga Babawibe, in the court papers at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the group approached the court following the failure of the state government to provide it with relevant documents on the airport project since November 22, 2023.
He said the request which was made, through his law firm, Urban Attorneys & Solicitors pursuant to the provisions of the Ekiti State Freedom of Information Law, 2011, with receipt of the letter acknowledged by the office of the state Accountant General on December 11, 2023 but with no response since then.
According to him, the documents being demanded include; a certify true copy of the entire contract, including information on the loans obtained for the said project, and information on all funds, disbursed on the project so far, from the treasury of the state.
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He added that the state government, signed the said contract, with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Limited (CCECCL).
In the motion exparte filled on March 28, 2024, at the state high court with suit number, HAD/352m/2024, the state Governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Accountant General were listed in the suit as respondents.
In the motion exparte suit obtained by Nigerian Tribune, the group through the lawyer sought among others, “An ORDER of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Applicant to apply for an Order of MANDAMUS compelling the Respondents to accede to the application of the Applicant asking for the Certified True Copy of the Contract Document executed between Ekiti State Government and China Civil Engineering Construction corporation Limited (CCECCL) on the Ekiti State Agro-Cargo Airport Project.
“An ORDER of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Applicant to apply for an Order of MANDAMUS compelling the Respondents to accede to the application of the Applicant asking for the Statement of Account in respect of the Loan obtained by the Respondent for the Ekiti State Ago-Cargo Airport and its disbursement so far.
“And for Such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
Also, in an affidavit, in support of the motion exparte, Tope Kolawole, also a legal practitioner in the same law firm, said the Ekiti Patriotic Consultative Forum, comprised of very responsible Ekiti indigenes who are always working towards the development and growth of the state.
He said the latest action by the group had become necessary, for want of probity, accountability, and effective management of public funds.
He noted that the group, which has the right to know how the public fund is spent, had no option but to apply for leave of the court, to file for the said order of mandamus after all subtle means of getting the relevant documents on the airport project failed to yield results.
No date has been fixed for a hearing on the suit.
TheWitness
