The flood victims matter between Rommy Mom Esq and BSEMA resumes tomorrow 22nd May 2013.
Post the last adjournment, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency BSEMA, filed its defense to the effect that they were not given the flood assistance sum by the Government and so have nothing to report as per how the sum was or is being spent.
This is a very interesting defense given the mandate of BSEMA, the issues at stake and the fact that till date, the victims are yet to be assisted. The only thing certain for now is that the flood victims have remained unassisted and on their own almost 9 months after the emergency situation that necessitated the assistance.
As we resume hearing tomorrow, it will be interesting to see the angle the Court will tilt to.
Does BSEMA saying it knows nothing about the money simpliciter puts the whole issue to rest? Is that all?
Kizito Agbanjo Esq, Solicitor to Rommy Mom thinks differently. He states “wherever the information is, it is BSEMA’s duty to unearth it or pass the request to any Government Agency in possession of it, otherwise the FOI Law will be toothless. This is what Section 5(1) of the Law is about. The reasoning behind the entire law is to enhance transparency in governance, and once activated, there is no hiding place. The people deserve to know and will get the information. BSEMA and its principals should know that they are working for the people who are their employers. An employee has no higher right to information than the employer. That’s the basis for the freedom of information law”
Mr. Kizito Agbanjo Esq
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