The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, February 23, issued a directive to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to disclose its earnings from toll gates and parking lot fees across all federal government-owned airports, as well as its remittances from January 2015 to January 2024.
Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala, presiding over the case, mandated FAAN, the sole Respondent, to furnish the requested revenue details to the public interest applicant, The Registered Trustees of The Centre for Law & Civil Culture.
Justice Kala granted the federal agency a three-month window to adhere to the court’s order. The order stemmed from a suit filed by the applicant, marked FHC/L/CS/1086/2022, in response to FAAN’s refusal to comply with its freedom of information request dated August 24, 2022, citing a violation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
B.O. Fowewe represented the Applicant, while A.A. Lawal represented the Respondent. The hearing concluded on January 25, 2024, with both parties presenting their written addresses, after which the court adjourned for judgment.
During the resumption of proceedings on Friday, the judge ruled in favor of the Applicant, stating that all conditions stipulated in Section 20 of the FOI Act had been met. Justice Kala determined that the Respondent was obligated to provide the requested information to the Applicant, as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
Consequently, the court granted the Applicant’s application, declaring FAAN’s refusal to disclose the requested information a gross violation of the FOI Act.
Furthermore, Justice Kala issued an order of mandamus, compelling FAAN to furnish the Applicant with comprehensive statements of accounts detailing the total annual revenue generated from toll gates and parking lots at each federal government-owned airport in Nigeria, along with evidence of yearly remittances from January 2015 to January 2024, within a three-month timeframe from the date of the ruling.
