Bullet Proof Cars: Court Orders First Bank To Disclose Loan Details

First Bank Plc has been ordered by a Federal High Court in Lagos to disclose details of the loan facility it granted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the purchase of the two controversial bulletproof BMW cars for the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, in 2013.

Following public outcry in protests of the purchases that cost the country the sum of N255m, civil society group, Enough is Enough Nigeria had on October 30, 2013, filed the suit under the provisions of the FoI Act, demanding the bank to disclose the details of the loan which was used in procuring the vehicles.

According to PMnews, Justice Mohammed Yunusa in his judgment in a suit instituted against the bank by EiE Nigeria, held that the bank was bound by the provisions of Sections 2(7) and 31 of the Freedom of Information Act to release the details.

The Court ruled that Sections 1(3) and 20 of the FOI Act gave EIE the right to apply to the court to compel the First Bank to disclose the information that it applied for.

It also held that the objective of the FOI Act, as stated in its preamble, was to make public records and information more freely available.

EIE asked for the original documents including pro-forma invoice(s) from the supplier, request letter from the NCAA and insurance certificate for the assets (the BMW vehicles); rationale for approval including the credit application (or an acceptable alternative) originating the request and details of the approving authority; and offer letter to the NCAA stating the terms and conditions of the loan facility.