The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Population Commission to release its procurement documents to the Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development.
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Justice H.J. Yilwa gave the order in a judgment delivered on July 15, 2025, in the suit instituted by NEFGAD against the commission.
The suit sought a court order compelling the NPC to release the procurement documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
NEFGAD, a civic advocacy group, had requested details of the procurement process for contracts awarded for the purchase of Personal Digital Assistants and the design of an e-procurement portal.
The group alleged that the contracts were awarded in “blatant disregard” of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, which outlines mandatory procedures and standards for government procurements.
As part of its accountability drive, NEFGAD wrote to the NPC requesting documents to clarify the processes and assess the level of compliance with procurement regulations. However, the commission declined the request, prompting the organisation to seek redress in court.
In his ruling, Justice Yilwa held that the NPC’s refusal to release the procurement documents requested by NEFGAD constituted a “flagrant breach” of the organisation’s right to information, as enshrined in Sections 1, 2, and 4 of the FOI Act, 2011.
The court further ordered the NPC to immediately provide NEFGAD with all the procurement records and documents requested in its letter dated March 29, 2023.
Reacting to the judgment, NEFGAD’s lead counsel, Timilehin Odunwo, hailed the ruling as “a victory for transparency and good governance”, stressing that it reinforces citizens’ rights to demand accountability from public institutions.
“The court has once again affirmed that public resources and procurement processes must not be shrouded in secrecy. Nigerians deserve to know how their funds are spent, especially on critical national assignments like the census,” he said.
NEFGAD said the ruling is expected to strengthen civil society organisations’ efforts in demanding transparency and enforcing compliance with Nigeria’s FOI law, particularly in major government projects funded by taxpayers.
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