FOI: Court urged to compel Ekiti Lawmakers to disclose billion-naira constituency spending

By Idowu Adebomi

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has been asked to intervene in a transparency dispute involving several high-ranking lawmakers and local officials from Ekiti South.

The suit, filed by Mr. Adekunle Esan, an indigene of Ilawe-Ekiti and former governorship aspirant, seeks to compel the disclosure of comprehensive reports on constituency funds, project allocations, and budgetary disbursements spanning from 2019 to 2025.

The litigation names Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu (Ekiti South), Hon. Adeniyi Rufus Ojuawo (House of Representatives), Mr. Tony Adaramodu (Ekiti State House of Assembly), and the Chairman of Ekiti South West Local Government Area, Mr. Richard Apolola, as respondents.

Esan contends that despite formal Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted in August 2025, the officials have failed to provide their scorecards or account for billions of naira allegedly released for the development of the district.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, the applicant alleged that the current state of public infrastructure and security in Ekiti South West does not reflect the volume of funds disbursed.

He further claimed that investigations suggest certain projects were awarded to cronies and remain unexecuted.

Esan is asking the court to declare this silence a deemed refusal and is seeking ₦10 million in damages for the violation of his constitutional right to access public records.

The court has granted the respondents 30 days to enter their appearance and justify the withholding of the requested information.