Nigeria In One Minute
Buhari’s medical bills not classified document – CSOs, lawyers
Civil Society Organisations and lawyers have faulted an assertion by the Federal Government that President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical bills are “classified” information.
They said it was not true that a document stating how much money was spent on the President’s medical treatment, being a public officer, constitutes a matter of national security.
They also said that non-disclosure of the document would encourage corruption, which the President is renowned for fighting against.
President Buhari has been under pressure of recent to disclose the amount of money spent on his medical treatment in London, the United Kingdom.
After spending 49 days in London on medical vacation, the President had returned to the country on Friday, March 10, 2017, when he confessed that “I have never been this sick.”
Though several Nigerians were happy for his safe return, they said it was important for them to know how much was spent on his medical treatment abroad.
Saturday PUNCH had also, in line with the Freedom of Information Act, sent a letter to the Presidency, requesting it to provide for public consumption the President’s medical bills in the UK as there were speculations that he (Buhari) might have spent between £200 and £250 per hour for medical services abroad.
But on Wednesday, the Federal Government said despite pressure from groups and individuals, it would not disclose the amount spent on the President’s recent medical treatment in London.
Punch, April 1, 2017
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