BENIN CITY – The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the Edo State Government and other states yet to domesticate the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to do so, emphasizing its role in enhancing government accountability and responsiveness.

Speaking in Benin City at a one-day Stakeholders Town Hall Meeting on the Application of the FOI Act, organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Fagbemi, represented by the Director of the FOI Unit, Barr. Sunday Garuba, stressed that citizens in states without FOI laws would have to rely on the federal legislation, as permitted by the Constitution.

“We are aware that Edo State has yet to enact a law regulating access to government information and records. The state government is encouraged to do so to enhance transparency in governance,” he stated.

Fagbemi highlighted that the FOI Act applies across all states since it falls under the concurrent legislative list, granting both federal and state governments the power to legislate on information access. He also urged citizens to actively utilize the Act to hold leaders accountable.

“The information and records in public institutions belong to the people. It is their constitutional right to request and access them to participate in governance,” he added.

In her opening remarks, Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Engr. Faith Nwadishi, emphasized the FOI Act’s role in promoting the rights of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the fight against corruption. She lamented that corruption continues to undermine the rule of law, often due to a lack of access to crucial information.

“All we need is access to information and resources to hold leaders accountable and promote transparency and good governance. However, deliberate denial of information by public officials remains a major challenge,” she noted.

She reiterated the importance of the FOI Act as a critical tool in fighting corruption, calling for increased public awareness and enforcement to ensure its effectiveness.