MRA files suits against FG, NFF for refusal to disclose World Cup expenses

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has sued the Federal Government alongside Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over failure to disclose the country’s overall expenses and list of delegates at the just-concluded FIFA World Cup.

MRA said it wrote a letter prior to the tournament requesting information that bothers on “issues of public concern, social justice, good governance and accountability” but the government “wilfully refused” to reply.

In a statement made available to Ripples Nigeria on Thursday July 26, 2018, MRA explained that it had requested from both the NFF and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports for the details of those scheduled to travel to Russia, including the lists of Nigerian footballers and coaches, supporters, government officials and their aides.

They also requested for the details of their travel expenses, including flights, accommodation, visa costs, living expenses and other allowances, which will be covered by the Federal Government or through public funds, either in part or in full.

But the failure of the institutions to disclose the requested information has forced MRA to head to Court.

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“In three separate suits filed by Mr. Godwin Chigbu of the law firm of A & E Law Partnership, against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports; and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with the Attorney-General of the Federation joined as a respondent in each suit, MRA is seeking to compel the Federal Government to furnish it with the information it requested from each of the institutions by its letter dated June 8, 2018,” the press statement read.

“In its requests to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the NFF, MRA asked them to also provide it with details of the sources of funds and the amount received from each source relating to Nigeria’s participation in the 2018 World Cup as well as the total amount received for this purpose.

“The organization also requested details of other in-kind sponsorships and partnerships received by the institutions or entered into to participate in the 2018 World Cup, including the coverage of each partnership or sponsorship.

“MRA is also claiming against each of the institutions the sum of N1 million as exemplary and aggravated damages for the unlawful violation of its right of access to information established and guaranteed by Sections 1(1) and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 as well as for the wrongful denial of access to information under Section 7(4) of the Act,” the group stated.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria appeared at their sixth World Cup in Russia, where they had no issues as regards bonuses and other allowances but crashed out at the group stage of the competition.

Recall that in the build-up to the tournament, Minister of Youths and Sports, Barr Solomon Dalung, had mentioned the approval of a N3 billion budget for the World Cup, part of which should be footed by the government as the other finances traditionally come from FIFA’s money paid to participating federations.

However, the NFF or the Ministry or the government are yet to respond as regards the MRA suits. And no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suits.

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