Group sues SGF, demands release of Defence Minister Matawalle’s academic records

By Johnson Arua

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and its Permanent Secretary have been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly refusing to release the academic records and curriculum vitae of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2449/2025, filed on November 14, the plaintiff — the Registered Trustees of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development — through its counsel, Mubarak Bala, said it approached the court after the SGF’s office declined its Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking Matawalle’s academic and appointment documents.

The SGF, its Permanent Secretary, and the Minister of State for Defence are listed as the 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit.

The plaintiff is urging the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), 2(6), 4, and 7(1) of the FOI Act, it is entitled to access the curriculum vitae and supporting documents submitted by a serving minister as part of the appointment process.

It is also challenging the SGF’s reliance on Section 14(1) of the FOI Act — which protects personal information — arguing that Section 14(2) mandates disclosure where public interest outweighs any potential harm to privacy. The group insists that Matawalle’s academic and background records fall squarely within the realm of public interest, given his position as a public office holder.

Among other reliefs, the suit seeks declarations that the SGF’s refusal to release the documents is unlawful and contravenes Sections 1(1), 4, 7, and 14(2) of the FOI Act. It also argues that a minister’s CV submitted during the appointment process constitutes a public record under Section 2(6).

The group is further seeking an order of mandamus compelling the SGF to release the requested records or provide an official summary. It is additionally asking the court to direct the respondents to pay N5 million in general damages for allegedly denying access to information.

The plaintiff maintained that it made a valid FOI request which was unlawfully rejected under the guise of privacy protection, thereby violating its statutory right to access public records.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.