A media aide loyal to the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, has issued a public statement defending the Council’s handling of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by Chronicles Reporters, insisting that the administration remains committed to accountability and due process.
The statement, signed by Sani Usman Zakariyya, popularly known as ManUtd CrownPrince, followed the Council’s formal response to Chronicles Reporters’ FOI application, which sought access to various public documents related to fiscal spending, procurement, and administrative activities across multiple years.
In his press release titled “Re–Chronicles Reporters’ FOI Request and Public Accountability in Gwagwalada,” Zakariyya described himself as “a loyal boy to the Executive Chairman” and urged for “a more balanced understanding of the situation.” He emphasized that the requested documents could not be immediately provided because “most of them are currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)” for an ongoing investigation.
“This is not an attempt to withhold information,” Zakariyya stated. “It is rather a matter of procedural and institutional responsibility. When official documents are under the custody of another federal agency, due process requires that the Council await clearance before releasing certified copies to any third party.”
However, Chronicles Reporters can confirm that the Council’s initial response did not provide any official correspondence or reference number from the ICPC to verify that such documents were indeed submitted for investigation.
While the aide appealed for patience, saying that the “volume of documents requested” was substantial and would take time to process, transparency advocates argue that the FOI Act of 2011 stipulates that public institutions must respond to information requests within seven days — or give valid reasons for denial, referencing specific sections of the law.
Several civic watchdogs have pointed out that citing an ongoing investigation does not automatically exempt a public body from its disclosure obligations, especially if the request pertains to records not directly part of a criminal proceeding.
Despite the ongoing tension, Zakariyya’s statement attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, calling for “constructive engagement rather than confrontation,” and urging Chronicles Reporters to focus more on developmental reporting.
“Governance is a partnership, not a battlefield,” he said, highlighting issues like youth empowerment, market sanitation, rural road rehabilitation, and education as areas where the media could “collaborate with government for public good.”
He also cited the example of the Gwagwalada Market Road, claiming that the Chairman had acted on Chronicles Reporters’ previous exposé by engaging the Honourable Minister of the FCT to address the issue.
“That same road stands as a visible testament to responsive leadership and collaborative civic engagement,” Zakariyya wrote. “The Chairman listens — not only to praise but also to constructive criticism.”
While Zakariyya insists that the administration “welcomes scrutiny,” Chronicles Reporters notes that the FOI request in question was made over a month ago, and no official update has been provided regarding timelines for document release.
Civil society experts have also questioned why the Council did not offer partial access to non-sensitive records or provide a formal schedule for the compilation of the requested data — standard practices recommended under Nigeria’s FOI implementation framework.
Speaking anonymously, a senior source within the Council hinted that “some of the documents in question” involve contracts and payments “that could trigger public debate,” suggesting internal hesitation about full disclosure.
In response, a spokesperson for Chronicles Reporters reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to lawful and responsible journalism, emphasizing that the request was made “not out of hostility, but in pursuit of public interest and accountability.”
“We appreciate Mr. Zakariyya’s appeal for understanding,” the spokesperson said. “However, transparency is not optional. The Freedom of Information Act is not a favor from government officials; it is a right guaranteed by law. When documents are withheld or delayed indefinitely, it erodes public trust.”
As the FOI process continues, Chronicles Reporters has stated that it will give the Council “reasonable time” to comply but remains prepared to pursue legal redress if the information is not made available as required by law.
For now, the statement from the Chairman’s aide offers a glimpse into the administration’s position — one that publicly embraces openness but appears caught between procedural excuses and growing public demand for transparency.
Whether Gwagwalada Area Council will honor its obligations under the FOI Act remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the people of Gwagwalada deserve not just promises of accountability, but proof of it.