Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the recent harassment of a citizens’ group leader by the Department of State Services (DSS) for exercising his right to information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
According to a statement released on Monday by MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, the DSS in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, summoned Jamiu Olayinka, a convener of the Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, on September 12, 2024.
Olayinka was questioned about an FOI request made to the Lagos State Government concerning a $100 million payment reportedly made by businessman Aliko Dangote for land now occupied by Dangote Refinery.
The FOI request, initially submitted by De Renaissance Patriots Foundation on July 29, 2024, sought confirmation of Dangote’s claim about the payment. After receiving no response, the group, along with the Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, filed a lawsuit to compel the government to address the claim.
“The harassment of individuals for legitimately exercising their right under the Act by submitting an FOI request and asking the court to enforce compliance is a direct violation of this right and a disturbing affront to the democratic ideals that Nigeria aspires to uphold,” Mr Longe stated.
MRA called on the government to end the intimidation of citizens seeking information through lawful means, emphasizing that such actions erode public trust and violate legal rights.
The Group urged authorities to hold those responsible for the harassment accountable and to guarantee the safety of citizens using the FOI Act.
“In a democracy, access to information is not a privilege but a right guaranteed by Law,” Mr Longe further stated, expressing solidarity with citizens exercising their right to information.
Mr Longe stressed that in a democracy, access to information is not a privilege but a right guaranteed by Law.
“We stand in solidarity with all citizens courageously and dutifully exercising their right to information and call for immediate remedial action to prevent further abuse of power by any organ or agency of Government.” He said