From Kayemo News
A group, under the aegis of the “Ekiti Patriotic Consultative Forum” has filed for an order of Mandamus before Ekiti State High Court to compel the State government to release to it, all documents, including financial records and loans, relating to the Ekiti International Cargo Airport project.
Recall that on October 15, 2022, about a day to his exit from office, the then governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, whose administration initiated the project, commissioned the airport, though the facility has not commence operation due absence of navigational and some other equipment.
During commissioning, a military aircraft, marked ATR-42, belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, touched down at the airport on the day, to the excitement of many residents
However, the Lead counsel to the group, Oluwagbenga Babawibe, who is also the Secretary to the forum, made this known in a statement, including court processes, made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Babawibe said the motion – exparte for the request for the order of Mandamus, was filed before the State High Court on 28th March, 2024, in suit No- HAD//352m/2024 , between the group and the government.
The counsel who said the request was made for the documents pursuant to the provisions of the Ekiti State Freedom of Information Law, 2011, added that his law firm, Urban Attorneys & Solicitors, acting for the forum, had since Nov. 22, 2023, made the written request to the government, through the offices of Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, as well the State Accountant General, and that the receipt of the letter, was acknowledged on 11th Dec, 2023 by the Accountant General’s office, but without any action.
He said when the letter was written in 2023, the group had given a seven-day ultimatum, within which the request should be accessed, and also warned then, that failure to act on it, would force the group into approaching the court to compel government to act.
Babawibe however regretted that up till now, despite all the threats, no response had been received from the government, hence the decision to resort to the court, to force government to act on the said request.
He said the state government, signed the said contract, with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Limited (CCECCL).
Also, in an affidavit, in support of the motion exparte, Tope Kolawole, also a legal practitioner in the same law firm, said the Ekiti Patriotic Consultative Forum, is comprised of very responsible Ekiti indigenes who are always working towards the development and growth of Ekiti.
He said the latest action by the group had become necessary, for want of probity, accountability, and effective management of public funds.
He noted that the group, which has the right to know how public fund is spent, had no option than to apply for leave of the court, to file for the said order of mandamus, after all subtle means at getting the relevant documents, failed to yield results.
End
.