A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has ordered the Ogun State Government to disclose the full details of its 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP). The landmark ruling was delivered by Justice Abiodun Adeyemi, who directed the state government and its key ministries to release critical documents and information to the applicants, Naija Lives Matter (NLM) and its founder, Dr. Ope Banwo.
Banwo Reacts to Court Judgment
Reacting to the judgment, Dr. Ope Banwo emphasized that Governor Dapo Abiodun cannot sign a 45-year contract using public resources and then tell the public to mind their business. He stated: “This judgment by Hon. Justice Abiodun Adeyemi is a clear directive that the Ogun State Government must open up the details of its 45-year contract with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms. This is not about speculation. This is about the right of the people to know how a long-term agreement involving public resources was structured. The Court has affirmed that this information cannot be hidden.”
A Defining Moment for Governance
Banwo described the ruling as a defining moment for Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration. He urged the governor to demonstrate respect for the rule of law by choosing transparency over secrecy, accountability over avoidance, and compliance over resistance. “Disobedience of a lawful court order is not just a legal issue—it is a public accountability issue,” Banwo added. He expressed hope that the governor would not disregard judicial authority, especially given the questions already before the people of Ogun State. NLM expects all documents regarding the ARISE IIP project to be released within 14 days, as ordered by the court.
Background of the Lawsuit
Barrister Yemi Salman filed the suit on behalf of Dr. Ope Banwo and the Naija Lives Matter movement, demanding transparency on the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project in Sagamu. Despite the scale and long-term implications of the deal, and direct requests to Governor Dapo Abiodun and his government, key details of the project were deliberately withheld from the public. Consequently, NLM was compelled to file a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to compel disclosure of all relevant documents.
Banwo concluded by encouraging other organizations fighting for transparency and accountability to be inspired by this ruling and continue the struggle for justice in Nigeria.
