A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre the leave to sue the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN for failing to disclose detailed information on COVID-19 donations requested from in July.
Recall that individuals, businesses and organisations had made millions and billions in donations to the Federal Government through its bank, the CBN, as aid to fight the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic which crumbled the world to its feet.The human rights coalition in their applications, stated that they were seriously concerned” that despite the donations, the larger proportion of Nigerians, including the poorest and the most vulnerable people, have not benefited from the Federal Government and private sectors announced palliatives, donations, cash payments, cash transfers and other benefits. Read also: Only Rivers State Is Yet To Receive COVID-19 Palliative – Sadiya Umar Farouq
Justice Inyang Ekwo, granted the order following an ex parte application moved on Monday by the two applicants’ counsel, Joel Ekong. The judge also ordered the applicants to file their substantive suit within seven days and serve same on the CBN within seven days after the filing. He directed the CBN to file their response to the suit within 30 days of being served by the applicants.
The human rights coalition in their applications, stated that they were seriously concerned” that despite the donations, the larger proportion of Nigerians, including the poorest and the most vulnerable people, have not benefited from the Federal Government and private sectors announced palliatives, donations, cash payments, cash transfers and other benefits.
