By Henry Ojelu

A High Court of Delta State sitting in Obiaruku has directed officials of Ukwuani Local Government Area to make public the council’s financial records.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Samuel Okeleke granted the reliefs sought by a councillor representing Ward 19, Ezhionum, Chukwuemeke Victor, who had challenged the alleged non-disclosure of the council’s finances.

The suit was instituted against the council chairman, Possible Ajede, and the treasurer, Solomon Udih, over their alleged failure to comply with statutory financial disclosure requirements.

Justice Okeleke held that the treasurer’s refusal to publish monthly revenue and expenditure records from July 2024 to date amounted to a violation of the Delta State Local Government Establishment Law, 2017.

The court consequently issued an order of mandamus directing the chairman to compel the treasurer to publish and publicly declare the council’s monthly revenues, income and expenditure within 14 days of the judgment.

The judge further ordered the chairman to provide the legislative arm of the council with details of the monthly wage bill and a performance index for the 2025 budget.

In addition, the court restrained the chairman, his agents or privies from implementing the 2026 budget—except for the payment of workers’ salaries—until full compliance with statutory disclosure obligations is achieved.

The court also dismissed a preliminary objection raised by the respondents, ruling that the applicant’s failure to issue a pre-action notice could not be used to evade what it described as a “sacred public duty of accountability.”

Reacting, lead counsel to the applicant, Evans Ufeli, said the judgment highlights the obligation of public officials to comply with transparency laws.

He noted that the ruling affirms the readiness of the courts to enforce financial accountability at the local government level, describing it as a victory for the people of Ukwuani and a boost for democratic governance in Delta State.

Ken Agbonze and Solomons Ossai also appeared as counsel for the applicant.