Femi Ashekun/
Human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has vowed to drag the Federal Government to court after the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) declined his Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking the full list of 8.1 million beneficiaries reportedly paid N330bn under the National Social Safety Net Programme.
Ogun had filed the FOI request on September 22, demanding disclosure within seven days, warning that “they either reply within 7 days or face legal action in court.”
In a formal response dated September 23 and signed by NASSCO, the agency acknowledged receipt of Ogun’s request but said it could not release the data due to “data privacy concerns and data protection laws.”
The letter explained that while NASSCO is the custodian of the National Social Register, the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) is responsible for actual disbursement.
It added, “However, due to data privacy concerns and data protection laws, we are unable to share beneficiaries’ data. NCTO may facilitate communication with beneficiaries for clarification purposes.”
Ogun, however, rejected the explanation, describing it as an attempt to shield accountability over massive public funds.
Taking to his X handle, he posted, “NASSCO responded, says ‘due to data privacy concerns and data protection laws, we are unable to share beneficiaries data’. The battle for our 330 Billion Naira has just begun! #WhereIsOur330Billion?”
With NASSCO standing by its position, the lawyer says he will now pursue the matter in court, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know who benefitted from the payments.
The question he and his supporters continue to press is simple: #WhereIsOur330Billion?
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