 |
| Governor Ifeanyi Author Okowa |
In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the Delta State Government to provide an account of the N200 billion education allocations that were collected by former governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The verdict was announced on July 17, following a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) with the case number FHC/L/CS/803/2019.
As disclosed by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the funds in question were obtained from the state's Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The court proceedings were presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor, who issued the order to the current Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to reveal detailed information about the budgetary allocation spanning from 2015 to 2019.
Justice Osiagor emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, stating that SERAP has the legal right to inquire about the manner in which public institutions handle such funds. He underscored that citizens have a responsibility to demand transparency from governance in public institutions.
As part of the court's directive, the Delta State government is required to disclose how the Okowa administration utilized over N7.28 billion received from UBEC between 2015 and 2017, as well as N213 billion received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee in 2018, averaging N17.8 billion monthly.
The genesis of this case can be traced back to the ordeal of seven-year-old Success Adegor, whose plight gained national attention when she was sent home from school due to her parents' inability to pay the N900 illegal school fee/levy. Success's emotional response to the situation, captured on camera by a concerned neighbor, resonated with many, leading to an outpouring of support and admiration for her unwavering spirit.
This ruling marks a pivotal step towards promoting transparency in governance and ensuring that public funds are utilized for their intended purpose in the education sector. The Delta State Government's response to the court's order will be closely watched by concerned citizens and advocacy groups to uphold accountability and responsibility in public financial management.
إرسال تعليق