FOI Lawsuit Forces National Assembly to Release Data, Albeit Scanty
In a significant development, the National Assembly has responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by the AdvoKC Foundation, offering limited disclosure on its legislative activities. However, the response notably withheld critical details regarding its multibillion-naira budget and expenditure, sparking concerns over transparency and accountability.
Legal Pressure Yields Partial Response
The response, dated March 2, 2026, was issued by the Legal Services Directorate on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly. This came weeks after AdvoKC initiated a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, seeking full transparency on the Legislature's finances and operations. The legal action, filed under Suit No: FHC/L/CS/416/26, remains pending as the foundation insists that core elements of its request have not been met.
In the letter, the National Assembly provided data relating to the Senate's activities for the 2024–2025 legislative year, covering June 2024 to May 2025. According to the document, the Senate held 81 plenary sittings and one joint sitting within the period under review. However, the response failed to address several critical aspects of the FOI request, particularly those relating to budgetary allocations and expenditure.
Incomplete Disclosure Sparks Criticism
The AdvoKC Foundation had requested comprehensive details of the approved 2023 and 2024 National Assembly budgets, as well as official documentation showing how the funds were utilised. The organisation also sought legislative records for both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives. While data was provided for the Senate, there was no information concerning the activities of the House of Representatives.
Reacting to the development, the Project Director of AdvoKC Foundation, Habib Sheidu, described the response as incomplete and insufficient, despite acknowledging it as a step forward. "We see this partial response as a direct result of legal pressure, but it is far from full compliance. Accountability is not selective. Nigerians deserve full disclosure, especially when it concerns a budget running into hundreds of billions of naira," Sheidu said.
Questions Over Budget Justification
Sheidu questioned whether the reported number of legislative sittings justified the scale of public funds allocated to the National Assembly, noting that the institution's 2024 budget stood at approximately ₦344.85 billion. "Providing sitting records without corresponding financial reports creates the impression of transparency without actually delivering it," he added. The foundation maintains that full transparency is essential to ensuring accountability in public institutions, especially one that exercises significant control over national finances and lawmaking.
According to AdvoKC, the partial disclosure signals that the information sought is available and should be accessible under the provisions of the FOI Act. The group argued that the National Assembly's response undermined previous positions, suggesting limitations in providing such records. This case highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing transparency laws in Nigeria, with implications for governance and public trust.
