A State High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State Capital has granted leave to a journalist and Civil Rights Activist, Mr. Martins Alo to apply for an order to compel the State Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele and the Auditor-General, Sunday Adegoke to make available the approved audited account of the state between 2012 and and 2014.
The journalist, in a suit filed by his lawyer, Mr. Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, said he had earlier written a letter dated January 6, to the duo demanding the audited accounts of the state in pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 but got no response from them.
While granting the motion, the presiding judge, Wale Akintoroye ruled that the Applicant has the right to sue the Speaker and Auditor General for an order of Judicial review.
He noted that under Sections 1, 3, 6 and 20 of the F.O.I. Act, 2011, the applicant has the right to compel them to supply him the requested documents.
However, sources close to the State Government, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the Government is jittery about releasing such sensitive document to the public particularly in an election year as the demand for the documents may be politically motivated.
But, Alo, who spoke with DAILY POST denied being sponsored by any politician or political party.
He said he is not a politician but a journalist and civil rights activist who is interested in transparency and accountability in governance.
The suit has been adjourned to March 9, after directing the Applicant to serve the Speaker and the Auditor-General with the Motion on Notice for the order of mandamus.
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