An Abuja High Court has ordered the Federal Government to account for the spending of 460 million dollars Chinese loan obtained in 2010 to fund the Abuja Closed-Circuit Television, CCTV project.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite also directed the government to publish the total amount of money paid to Chinese and local companies and contractors and specific details of the names of the companies and contractors, as well as the status of the implementation of the project.
Justice Nwite gave the orders while delivering verdict in a Freedom of Information suit, filed before him by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, and the Minister of Police Affairs.
SERAP also argued in the suit, that the continued servicing of the Chinese loans for failed projects is double-jeopardy for Nigerians, who can neither see nor benefit from the projects; yet, they are made to pay both the loans and the accrued interests.
In his judgment, Justice Nwite agreed with SERAP that there is a reasonable cause of action against the government.
