Court Dismisses Suit for NDDC Forensic Audit Report

On a procedural basis, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt dismissed a suit that sought the release of the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The case was initiated by Paul Arochukwu Ogbonna, representing Social Action, against the Attorney General of the Federation.

The plaintiff approached the court in 2022 after the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs failed to make the audit report public, requesting the court to compel the disclosure of the document under the Freedom of Information Act. Following the dissolution of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by the President, the claimant amended the suit to include the Attorney General of the Federation as a defendant.

Justice Turaki Mohammed delivered the judgment, stating that the case was no longer valid as it was originally filed against an agency that no longer exists. In response, counsel for the plaintiff, Victor Nweke, expressed dissatisfaction and indicated plans to refile the case to pursue access to the audit report, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in public institutions.