The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Delta State Government to comply with the recent order of the Federal High Court in Lagos, demanding an account of over N200bn in public funds collected by the immediate past governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa.
The court also directed the current Delta governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to disclose specific details of budgetary allocations and actual spending by the Okowa administration between 2015 and 2019.
These funds, which include allocations from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Federation Accounts, were meant to enhance primary education in Delta State.
Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment in response to a Freedom of Information suit filed by SERAP under suit number: FHC/L/CS/803/2019. The court affirmed SERAP’s legal right to inquire about and be informed of the management of public funds by public institutions. Justice Osiagor emphasized the duty of citizens to demand transparency and accountability in governance.
The court ordered the Delta State government to disclose the expenditure of over N7.28 billion received from UBEC between 2015 and 2017, as well as N213 billion received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2018, averaging N17.8 billion monthly.
SERAP’s suit was prompted by the case of seven-year-old Success Adegor, who was sent home from Okotie-Eboh Primary School 1 due to her parents’ inability to pay an illegal school fee/levy of N900, raising concerns about the poor quality of education.
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Furthermore, Justice Osiagor ordered the government to reveal details of primary schools that have benefited from projects aimed at providing free and quality primary education in Delta State. This includes information on indirect costs like uniforms, exercise books, and transport expenses for students and their parents.
The Delta State Government is also required to divulge specific details about the steps taken to enhance the overall welfare of children in primary schools across the state. This includes information on any fee-free programs that may have been implemented in primary schools in Delta State.
The objections raised by the Delta State government, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board were dismissed by the court, which upheld SERAP’s arguments. As a result, the court entered judgment in favor of SERAP against the three respondents.
In a letter addressed to the government, SERAP urged immediate compliance with the judgment, reminding them of their commitment to deliver good governance to the people.
They called for the former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to be invited to explain the spending of education funds, and for the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board to promptly compile and disclose the spending details of the funds as ordered by the court.
“We note your stated commitment in your inaugural speech ‘to deliver good governance to our people.’ We, therefore, urge you to obey and respect the judgment of the Court immediately.”
“We urge you to invite the former State governor Ifeanyi Okowa and to direct the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board to explain the spending of the education funds and to immediately compile and disclose the spending details of the funds as ordered by the court.”
“By immediately complying with the judgment, your government will be sending a powerful message to politicians and others that they will be held to account even when out of office.”