The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a case filed by the Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to May 13 for hearing over access to information on abandoned stadium projects in the territory.
The matter, which came up before Justice M. G. Umar at Court 5 of the Federal High Court, was adjourned after the Minister failed to appear in court and had no legal representation.
The Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders, who are the claimant/applicant in the suit, were fully represented in court by Babatunde Akintade Legal Consult.
Justice Umar ruled that the adjournment would give the defendant the opportunity to appear before the court and respond to the claims brought by the stakeholders.
Speaking with journalists at the court premises shortly after the proceedings, lead counsel to the Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders, Babatunde Akintade, expressed optimism that the defendant would be represented when the case resumes.
Akintade explained that the stakeholders were not making unreasonable demands but were simply seeking transparency regarding sports infrastructure projects within the Federal Capital Territory.
He stated that the action before the court was aimed at compelling the Minister to release information concerning several stadium projects that have remained abandoned across the territory.
āOur clients are not asking for too much; they simply want access to relevant information concerning the abandoned stadium projects in the Federal Capital Territory,ā he said.
According to him, the request for information was made in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, which guarantees the right of citizens and organizations to access public records.
The Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders had earlier written to the FCT Minister late last year requesting detailed records and explanations regarding a number of stadium projects across the FCT that have remained incomplete or abandoned.
The group invoked the Freedom of Information law in seeking access to official documents and records relating to the projects.
The court is expected to resume hearing on the matter on May 13.