₦37 Billion Scandal: Court Forces N’Assembly To Expose Secret Renovation Spending

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the National Assembly to make public all records relating to the ₦37 billion renovation of its complex.

Delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2022, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled in favour of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), which instituted the case through its counsel, Seidu Mohammed.

The court ordered the legislature to furnish HEDA with comprehensive details of the renovation project, including the original proposal, assessments, and processes that produced the ₦37 billion estimate, as well as the final approved amount, funds released, and actual disbursements to date.

Justice Nwite affirmed that the application was well within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, stressing:

“The information sought is straightforward and harmless. When a public institution like the respondent denies, or is deemed to have denied, such information, it undermines the very essence of the Act and fosters corruption and financial recklessness.”

Reacting, HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, hailed the verdict as a major milestone for transparency and accountability in governance.

“This ruling reinforces citizens’ right to access information on government projects. We urge the National Assembly to comply fully and immediately with the court’s directive,” Suraju stated.

He further encouraged Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the media to leverage the judgment in pressing for greater openness from public institutions.