Secretary to Federal Govt, Perm Sec Dragged to Court Over Matawalle’s Academic Records

The office of secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and the permanent secretary have been dragged before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over failure to release or disclose the academic records of the minister, of state for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle

The Registered Trustees of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, in a suit marked FHC/ABM/C’S/ 2449/2025 and dated Nivember 14 prayed the court for an order of mandamus compelling the SGF office to releease the records.

The suit has the SGF, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, and the Minister as the 1st to 3rd defendants in the matter filed at the registry of the court.

The plaintiff, through its lawyer, Mubarak Bala Esq,. Initiated the suit after the SGF office turned down its request through the Freedom of Information Act.

He prayed the court to determine Whether, having regard to the provisions of Sections 1(1), 2(6), 4, and 7(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the Applicant is entitled to access the Curriculum Vitae (CV) and the ‘supporting documents of a serving minister of Defence submitted to the Federal Government for appointment.

Whether the reliance by the 1st Respondent on Section 14(1) of the FOI Act (protection of personal information) to refuse disclosure of such CV and its supporting documents is valid and lawful when Section 14(2) of the Act provides that information shall be disclosed if the public interest in disclosure outweighs harm in, privacy.

The plaintiff in the suit sought the following reliefs: A declaration that the refusal by the 1st Respondent to provide the Applicant with a copy of the Curriculum Vitae (CV) and other supporting documents submitted by the Honorable Minister of State for Defence ( Muhammad Bello Matawalle) for appointment as a minister, on the ground that it constitutes “personal information,” is unlawful, wrongful, and contrary to Sections 1(1), 4, 7, and 14(2} of the Freedom of information Act, 2011.

A declaration that the Curriculum Vitae and supporting documents of a serving minister submitted for ministerial appointment are a public record of a private document within the meaning of Section 2(6) of the FOI Act, and that their disclosure serves a legitimate public interest.

An order of mandamus compelling the 1st Respondent to make available to the Applicant a copy or official summary of the said Curriculum Vitae and supporting documents

The plaintiff also prayed for an order directing the respondents to pay “5,000,000 as general damages for the unlawful refusal of access.

Some of the grounds upon which the application is, premised include: “The Applicant made a written request under the FOI Act to the 1st Respondent for the C’ uf a serving minister and supporting documents submitted tc the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The 1st Respondent refused the request, citing Section 14(1) (protection of personal information). . .

“Section 14(2) of the FOI Act, however, provides that such information may be disclosed where the public interest in disclosure __ outweighs the harm to privacy.

“Ministerial appointees are public office holders, and their qualifications and background are matters of legitimate public interest.

“The refusal therefore constitutes a breach of the Applicant’s statutory right under Section 1(1) of the FOI Act.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.