The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has approved an application by two legal practitioners seeking to challenge all 31 local government councils in the state over alleged violations of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
The lawyers, Akaninyene Archibong and Edidiong Ebong, are demanding the release of official records relating to public expenditures, subsidy schemes, policy decisions, licences, and approvals issued by the councils from November 2024 to date.
The suit, filed as FHC/UY/CS/80/2026, was heard before Justice M. A. Onyetenu, who delivered a ruling on May 4, 2026, after examining the legal processes and supporting documents presented by the applicants.
According to the court filings, the applicants alleged that the councils ignored formal Freedom of Information requests sent on March 23, 2026, by failing to provide the requested records within the timeframe stipulated by law.
The lawyers argued that the failure of the councils to respond amounted to a breach of Sections 4(a) and 7(1)–(4) of the FOI Act, which guarantees citizens access to public information held by government institutions.
They further maintained that withholding the records weakens accountability and transparency in the administration of public funds and governance at the local government level.
In his ruling, Justice Onyetenu granted the applicants leave to amend their ex parte application by adding a request for a deeming order, stating that the amendment was necessary to ensure proper consideration of the matter before the court.
The judge also authorised the applicants to commence judicial review proceedings against the 31 councils under Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The court also approved the filing of the originating Motion on Notice, already attached to the application, and ordered that it be regarded as properly filed and served on the respondents.
With the ruling, the court effectively cleared the way for the substantive hearing of the case, where issues surrounding the councils’ compliance with the FOI Act will be fully examined.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 30, 2026, for further hearing.
The applicants insist that the requested documents are necessary to promote public accountability and allow citizens to monitor how public resources are being managed by local government authorities across the state.
They are seeking court intervention to compel the councils to release the information and determine whether the alleged refusal to comply with the FOI requests violated provisions of the law.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, public institutions are expected to respond to requests for official records within a specified period unless such information falls within legally recognised exemptions.
Attention is now expected to shift to the substantive stage of the proceedings, where the court will decide whether the councils acted unlawfully and whether they can be compelled to disclose the requested documents.
