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The G.A.L Initiative, in collaboration with the Joint National Civil Society Organisation, has raised the alarm over what it describes as attempts to frustrate its public interest litigation seeking access to contract documents relating to more than ₦60 billion allegedly allocated for erosion control projects across parts of Enugu North Senatorial District, Enugu State.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Mr. Zekeri Idris Mohammed, Spokesperson, G.A.L Initiative, in collaboration with the Joint National Civil Society Organisation.
The spokesperson of the G.A.L Initiative, Mr. Zekeri Idris Mohammed, said the legal action, instituted in November 2025, concerns erosion control projects at Onuiyi Gully, Aloruno Gully, Imilike Etiti Gully and Anyazuru Ohom Orba, which the Initiative alleges have been abandoned despite the substantial sums reportedly received for their execution.
According to the Initiative, the projects were associated with the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The organisation explained that it initially sought certified true copies, CTCs, of the relevant contract documents covering the projects and the funds received through the agency’s Enugu State Project Office between 2015 and 2023. It said the documents were not released, prompting it to approach the Federal High Court in Enugu for an order compelling the relevant public institutions to provide access to the records.
The Initiative said it was disappointed by the outcome of the proceedings before the Federal High Court, Enugu, presided over by Justice M. T. Segun-Bello, which dismissed the case on March 18, 2026.
According to the organisation, the court’s decision was based on the position that NEWMAP, as a federal government project management body, was not a juristic person capable of being sued.
The Initiative expressed concern that the decision could make it difficult to obtain public records relating to substantial public project funds and to scrutinise the implementation of projects intended to protect vulnerable communities from devastating erosion.
“Our demand is straightforward: we want access to the contract documents relating to these projects. We are not asking for anything beyond the transparency and accountability that should ordinarily accompany the expenditure of public resources,” Mohammed said.
He added that the refusal to release the requested documents had prevented the organisation from independently examining the contracts and the implementation of the projects. He maintained that communities affected by erosion in the identified locations deserve answers about the status of the projects and the use of the funds reportedly allocated to them.
Following the dismissal of the suit, the Initiative instructed its counsel to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division. It stated that the appeal, identified as Appeal No: CA/E/127/2026, is pending a hearing date.
The organisation expressed confidence that the appellate court would carefully examine the issues raised and grant appropriate relief, including an order for the release of the requested certified true copies of the contract documents.
The Initiative’s lead counsel, C. I. Odo, Esq., also expressed confidence in the appeal, maintaining that the case had merit and that the appellate court would have an opportunity to reconsider the issues arising from the decision of the trial court.
He reiterated that the matter was now before the Court of Appeal and expressed the hope that the court would grant the relief sought by the appellant to enable the organisation access the public documents.
The G.A.L Initiative emphasised that its immediate objective is to obtain the relevant records and establish greater transparency around the implementation of the erosion control projects. It said access to the documents would enable the public and interested stakeholders to examine the contractual arrangements and assess the status of the projects.
The organisation further stressed that the reported condition of erosion-affected communities makes transparency particularly important, insisting that residents should not be left without answers about projects intended to address environmental threats in their localities.
While expressing disappointment with the outcome at the court of first instance, the Initiative said it remained committed to pursuing the case through the judicial process and urged the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, to ensure that the issues raised receive due consideration.
The organisation called for greater accountability in the management of publicly funded projects, stressing that public institutions entrusted with substantial resources must operate within a framework that permits appropriate scrutiny of their activities and expenditure.
It maintained that the release of the requested contract documents would represent an important step towards transparency and public accountability, while allowing the relevant facts surrounding the projects to be examined.
The G.A.L Initiative reaffirmed its determination to pursue the appeal and expressed the hope that the proceedings would provide a clear legal pathway to obtaining the documents and addressing the concerns raised by affected communities.
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