Participants at the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) held in Benin City, have been informed that the freedom of information is a fundamental right of citizens and should be pursued with zest.
Giving the advice was President Aigbokhan, Lead Counsel of the FOI Counsel, while delivering a lecture at a training program FOIA Surgery For CSOs and Media.
Speaking on the topic “what is freedom of information” Aigbokhan asserted that the freedom of information is a fundamental right which is enshrined in section 39 of the Constitution of Nigeria and thus should be pursued with vigour.
He disclosed that areas of interest while applying the FOIA include the fact that such concerns are of public interest; are public institutions and have government funding.
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Aigbokhan counselled participants to be knowledgeable when they’re pursuing issues that are of interest to generality of the public like good governance and corruption.
Agho Omobude, a civil society leader, educated participants on how to process a petition using the template of the freedom of information act which will cast the process in cast iron, error proof format.
He listed the process as knowing for a fact that there is an issue of corruption, bad governance or maladministration in a system. Drafting a well addressed letter about the issue to the appropriate quarters while awaiting response within a seven day period.
