By Henry Ojelu

A councillor representing Ward 19 in Ezhionum Kingdom, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Chukwuemeke Victor, has requested the release of detailed financial records relating to the council’s allocations and expenditures between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2025.

The request, made through his lawyer, Evans Ufeli, Principal Partner, The Chambers of Evans Ufeli, was addressed to the Delta State Accountant-General, the Office of the Auditor-General for the State, and the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments.

In separate letters dated March 3, 2026, the councillor invoked the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, seeking access to documents relating to the finances of the Ukwuani Local Government Council.

Victor, a member of the legislative arm of the council, said the request followed unsuccessful efforts to obtain the records through internal channels within the local government.

According to the letters, the move was made in the public interest and as part of his oversight responsibility as a councillor.

The letter stated that concerns had persisted over alleged unaccounted public funds in the council, making it necessary to demand comprehensive disclosure of its financial records.

“Our client has exhausted internal mechanisms to obtain full records of income, receipts, allocations and disbursements for Ukwuani Local Government for the period January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025,” the letter stated.

The councillor is seeking a wide range of financial documents covering the five-year period including annual budgets, approved estimates and budget allocation schedules of the council.

He also requested bank statements, account reconciliation reports and passbooks for all accounts held in the name of the Ukwuani Local Government Council, including details of account signatories.

Other documents requested include records of all statutory allocations and financial transfers received by the council, such as federal allocations, Value Added Tax (VAT) allocations, SURE-P funds, the council’s share of state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), state government grants and other revenue sources.

Victor is also seeking records relating to internally generated revenue, including receipts, remittance schedules and reconciliations.

The request further covers payment vouchers, invoices, procurement records, contract awards and evidence of payments made to contractors and service providers during the period.

Payroll documents such as salary registers, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other staff emoluments were also listed among the requested records.

In addition, the councillor asked for audit reports, internal audit records, management letters and correspondence relating to the council’s financial operations.

The letters equally demanded minutes, approvals, memos or resolutions authorising the disbursement or transfer of public funds, as well as correspondence between the local government and state or federal authorities regarding financial releases or deductions.

The letter noted the request was based on Sections 1(1), 2(1), 3 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, which guarantee public access to official records relating to government funds.

The councillor urged the relevant authorities to acknowledge the request and provide the documents within 14 days, warning that failure to comply could lead to legal action to compel disclosure.