FOI: Group insists N’Assembly disclose N344bn spending

NASS Complex

The response followed an earlier FOI request dated January 8, 2026, in which AdvoKC sought comprehensive data on the National Assembly’s finances and legislative performance.

However, the organisation said the reply fell far short of expectations, describing it as selective disclosure that avoided the core issues raised in its request and subsequent lawsuit (Suit No: FHC/L/CS/416/26).

Reacting, AdvoKC Communications Director, Luqman Adamu, argued that their demands were anchored on three key areas: full details of the approved 2023 and 2024 National Assembly budgets, official records of how the funds were utilised, and legislative data covering both chambers — the Senate and the House of Representatives.

While the National Assembly confirmed the number of Senate sittings, Adamu noted that the response was silent on budget performance, particularly the reported N344.85bn allocation, and provided no information regarding the House of Representatives.

“We see this partial response as a direct result of legal pressure, but it is far from full compliance.

“Accountability isn’t a menu where you pick and choose what to disclose. Nigerians deserve to know if 81 days of sittings justify a N344bn allocation. Providing sitting dates while hiding the spending reports is an attempt to give the appearance of transparency without the substance,” said Habib Sheidu, Project Director at AdvoKC Foundation.

The group argued that the letter nonetheless represented an implicit acknowledgement that the requested information existed and was subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2011, contrary to earlier alleged resistance by the legislature.