A Federal High Court in Abeokuta has directed the Ogun State Government to disclose comprehensive details of its 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), following a legal action initiated by the Naija Lives Matter (NLM) movement.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Abiodun J. Adeyemi, came after a seven-month court battle filed by NLM founder, Dr. Ope Banwo, through his counsel, Yemi Salman. The case stemmed from the state government’s alleged refusal to release documents related to the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project in Sagamu.
In its judgment, the court affirmed that the Freedom of Information Act is applicable to the Ogun State Government and its agencies, stressing that public institutions cannot withhold information on major public contracts without lawful justification.
The order affects several government bodies, including the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Office of the Attorney-General.
At the heart of the dispute is the long-term agreement between the Ogun State Government and ARISE IIP for industrial development in Sagamu. NLM had expressed concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the deal, particularly regarding its structure, financing, and implementation.
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Reacting to the verdict, Dr. Banwo described it as a significant victory for transparency and public accountability. He emphasized that citizens have a right to access information on agreements involving public resources.
The advocacy group has given the government a 14-day deadline to comply with the court order. It is demanding the release of key documents, including the full PPP agreement, investor details, funding arrangements, land allocation records, procurement processes, environmental impact assessments, and internal approvals.
The ruling is expected to increase pressure on the Ogun State Government to act swiftly, with observers noting that the case could set a precedent for greater transparency in long-term public-private partnerships involving public assets.
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