A Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice A. Faji, has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Lagos State Government to disclose details regarding the $100 million reportedly paid by business magnate Alhaji Aliko Dangote for land acquisition in Ibeju-Lekki.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Faji ruled that the Lagos State Government could not be forced to release the requested information, citing that the law requiring such disclosure had not been domesticated within the state.
The lawsuit was filed by De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, who sought clarity on Dangote’s claim that he had paid $100 million to the Lagos government for the land where his refinery is situated. The petitioners aimed to compel Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau, and the Lagos State Government to confirm or refute Dangote’s assertion.
According to the applicants, if the request had been granted, the government would have been required to provide a comprehensive account of the transaction, including why no official public disclosure was made regarding the payment. The suit sought to promote transparency and accountability in public financial dealings.
The motion, registered as Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1603/2024, was filed on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 1:20 p.m. It specifically requested an Order of Mandamus compelling the state government to release details of the transaction.
However, the court’s decision has raised concerns about transparency in governance, especially regarding significant financial dealings involving public institutions.
In a statement issued by Lasisi Robert’s Assembly of Lagos Youths, the ruling was criticized by stakeholders who argued that considerations of public interest and policy should have influenced the court’s decision. Many believe that withholding financial details of such magnitude undermines public confidence in governance.
Residents of Ibeju-Lekki, the area where the funds were reportedly intended for development, continue to grapple with infrastructural challenges. Many communities still suffer from unreliable electricity, poor educational facilities, and inadequate healthcare services. Critics argue that the lack of transparency in the management of such large sums of money only worsens the socio-economic hardships in the area.
Legal and governance analysts have expressed concerns that this ruling could set a precedent for secrecy regarding financial transactions involving public funds.
“The refusal to grant the information request under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, citing non-domestication, raises serious concerns about Lagos State Government’s commitment to transparency,” the statement read.
Civil society organizations and concerned citizens have stressed the need for greater fiscal responsibility, urging the government to voluntarily disclose financial transactions that affect public welfare. They fear that this ruling could weaken public trust in governance and discourage civic engagement in demanding accountability.
The dismissal of the case has also reignited discussions on the need for legal reforms to strengthen transparency at the state level.
Observers insist that governance should prioritize the interests of citizens by ensuring public funds are effectively managed and used for development.
“As debates over this issue persist, stakeholders continue to push for stronger legal measures to prevent opaque financial dealings and reinforce accountability in government transactions,” the statement concluded.
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