A group known as Naija Lives Matter (NLM), established by Mr Ope Banwo, has expressed optimism that the Ogun State government will obey the judgment of Justice Abiodun Adeyemi of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta on the release of the full details of a 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP).
NLM had approached the court under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to compel the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun to release details of the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project in Sagamu.
The organisation, through Mr Yemi Salman, filed the suit after the state government refused to provide key details of the project.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Adeyemi ordered the Ogun State Government and its key ministries to release critical documents and information relating to the agreement to NLM and Mr Banwo.
Reacting to this, the founder of the group said, “This is about the right of the people to know how a long-term agreement involving public resources was structured.
“We believe the Governor has an opportunity to demonstrate that, despite all the drama about him, he still respects the rule of law by choosing transparency over secrecy; accountability over avoidance; and respect for the rule of law over resistance, because at this point, disobedience of a lawful court order is not just a legal issue—it is a public accountability issue.
“And we at Naija Lives Matter are hopeful that Governor Dapo Abiodun will not add disregard for judicial authority to the list of questions already before the people of Ogun State. We expect all documents regarding the Ogun State–ARISE IIP project within 14 days, as ordered by the court.
“We hope other organisations fighting for transparency and accountability from our governments will be encouraged by this bold ruling to keep up the fight for justice in our nation.”