The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has formally written to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, demanding full disclosure of legal fees paid to lawyers and law firms that represented Nigeria in the controversial Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) case.
In a letter signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to the CBN Governor, the anti-corruption organization invoked the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, requesting details of the names of lawyers and law firms engaged, as well as the exact amounts paid to them during the litigation process.
HEDA, in its petition, emphasized that the request aligns with its mandate to promote public accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria. The organization noted that while the case between Nigeria and P&ID heard at the Commercial Court of the High Court of England (Claim No: CL-2019-000752) was ongoing, the CBN facilitated payments to legal representatives on behalf of the Nigerian government.
According to Suraju, “The public has a right to know how much was expended from national resources on legal representation in the P&ID case. Transparency in this regard is crucial for accountability, as it will help Nigerians understand the financial implications of international trade disputes involving the country.”
HEDA further stated that the request also forms part of a research initiative the organization is conducting on the cost of trade disputes between states and private enterprises, adding that the P&ID case remains a vital reference point for such a study.
The civil society organization urged the CBN to provide the requested information within seven (7) days in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
