By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted permission for an action to be filed for an order of judicial review of the utilisation of funds allocated to Local Government Areas in Abia State.
The court’s decision followed an application filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Civil Society Observatory for Constitutional and Legal Compliance (CSOCLC).
The Applicant alleged that government officials in Abia State refused to accede to a series of requests it made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, seeking details of revenues allocated to 17 LGAs in the state and how they were utilised.
The group, through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Nnamdi U. Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, said it specifically applied for information on monthly funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), VAT receipts, budgets, procurement records, audit reports, expenditure schedules, bank account details, and bank statements relating to the finances of the LGAs.
