Foundation sues N’Assembly over budgets, sessional records secrecy
AdvoKC Foundation, a youth-led civic tech organisation, has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s National Assembly and its Clerk at the Federal High Court in Lagos (Suit No: FHC/L/CS/416/26), demanding disclosure
AdvoKC Foundation, a youth-led civic tech organisation, has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s National Assembly and its Clerk at the Federal High Court in Lagos (Suit No: FHC/L/CS/416/26), demanding disclosure of budgets and sessional records under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
The suit stems from the National Assembly’s failure to respond to two FOI requests submitted on January 8, 2026.
AdvoKC sought detailed 2023 and 2024 budgets, including personnel, overhead, and capital components, along with performance reports, plus records of plenary and joint sittings for the last legislative year.
Despite the FOI Act’s seven-day response mandate, the Assembly provided no information or refusal notice, prompting the legal action.
The foundation accuses the institution of “bureaucratic evasion” and breaching public commitments by the 10th House of Representatives to publish sessional reports and budgets, promises unfulfilled, as tracked on its Promise Tracker NG platform (www.promisetracker.ng).
Habib Sheidu, AdvoKC’s Project Director, described the lawsuit as “a necessary step for the preservation of democratic governance.”
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He added: “Nigerians have a right to know how their resources are being managed and how often their representatives are actually sitting to conduct the business of the people. A budget that cannot be tracked is a budget designed not to deliver.”
AdvoKC seeks a court order of mandamus to compel the immediate release of the documents, a declaration that the refusal violates the FOI Act 2011 and the 1999 Constitution, and affirmation that the information is not exempt from disclosure.
The group argues it is essential for public oversight of legislative spending and rebuilding citizen trust.
Luqman Adamu, Communications Manager, affirmed the foundation’s commitment to evidence-based advocacy via digital tools.
“We remain dedicated to holding those in power accountable for justice, fairness, and our democracy’s future,” he said.
