The Kingdom Human Rights Foundation Int’l KHRFI has decried the refusal of the House of Representatives to release the contract documents indicating the actual cost of the 400 utility cars purchased.
Despite application it made in respect of the contract in support of the fight against corruption by the Buhari led administration, the KHRFI had on 24th June 2020 been granted an ex parte order by the Federal High Court, granting leave to commence action to mandate the speaker and clerk of the House of Representatives as well as National Assembly Commission to make documents in relation to the purchased 400 Toyota Camry 2020 model cars available.
The incorporated trustees of KHRFI had on 20th March, 2020 filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking access to the documents for the purpose of ensuring accountability, due process and transparency.
Follwing the refusal by the House of Reps, to give details of the purchase, the Human rights fighter among other things prayed the court to “compel the speaker the underlisted documents available to the plaintiffs.
“1. An order granting leave to the plaintiff/applicant to commence action for judicial review of administrative inaction of the 1st defendant to perform his statutory obligation under section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act to make the following documents available to the plaintiffs in line with the plaintiff’s application letter dated 24/2/2020 and reminder letter dated 11/3/2020. To wit:
A. Certified true copy of the contract for the supply of 400 Toyota Camry 2020 model cars for the house of representatives.
B. Certified true copy of the resolution reached at an Executive (closed door) session held on February 5, 2020.
C. Evidence of payment and bank transaction for the supply of the 400 2020 Toyota Camry cars between the House of Representatives and the company supplying the cars indicating the actual cost for each of the 400 cars.”
The originating summons is slated for hearing on the 3rd of September 2020 when the court resumes from vacation.
Meanwhile, the appeal court has put forward the hearing of the case challenging president Buhari’s loopsided appointments and marginalisation against South East to 2nd of September, 2020.
The matter was dismissed by the federal high court on ground that kingdom Hman Rights Foundation International doesn’t have locus standi to institute the action.
The Human rights body is contending the exclusion of the south east in appointment of service chiefs and heads of security agencies by the Buhari led administration.
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