Court fixes Dec 12 for suit against Diezani

A federal high court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned till December 12 a suit filed by one Osita Nwachukwu, seeking to compel minister of petroleum resources to render account of oil sales from 2012 till date.

In the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/ 388/ 2014, Okechukwu sued Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke in her personal capacity and as minister of petroleum resources.

The plaintiff alleged that he approached the court because the minister failed to provide the information when he requested for it.

Okechukwu is seeking, among others, a court declaration that the defendant’s refusal and failure to release the information on the crude oil transactions to him is illegal and unconstitutional.

According to him, the defendant’s action amounts to a violation of Section 7 (1) of the Freedom of Information act.

At Thursday’s resumed sitting, Okechukwu’s counsel, Mr Barth Ogar, informed the court that all the court processes had been served on Diezani and the petroleum resources ministry since September 30.

However, Diezani’s counsel, Mr. Etigwe Uwah (SAN) denied receiving the said court processes on behalf of his client.

Ogar, therefore, sought the court’s permission to serve the minister through substituted means, a request that was, however, turned down by Justice Kolawole.

The judge insisted that the minister must be served personally, but if she is to be served by substituted means, the request must come through a formal application.

He then adjourned the case till December 12, for hearing.

Kolawole had in September granted Okechukwu’s application to compel the minister to give information on crude oil sales since 2012.

Kolawole’s ruling was sequel to Okechukwu’s ex-parte application brought pursuant to Section 2 (6) and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.