TADI Threatens Legal Action Against Police Affairs Ministry Over Alleged FOI Violations, Financial Irregularities

The Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI) says it will institute legal proceedings against the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs over its alleged failure to comply with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, in relation to requests for records on alleged financial irregularities and procurement breaches.

The civil society organisation said its decision followed more than five months of engagement with the ministry, including formal FOI requests, legal demand notices, follow-up correspondence and a final seven-day notice, all of which it claimed failed to produce the requested documents.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Amb. Yomi David, TADI said it is seeking a court order to compel the ministry to release public records relating to allegations of questionable payments, procurement practices, possible diversion of public funds into personal bank accounts and compliance with statutory tax obligations.

According to the organisation, the records it reviewed raised questions about repeated high-value payments allegedly made to the same public officials within short periods for similar official activities.

TADI also alleged that official payment records showed conference-related payments of ₦206.43 million and ₦245.41 million made on the same day, as well as two separate payments of ₦44 million each allegedly processed on the same date for the review of the National Policy on Public Safety and Security.

It further claimed that other records indicated multiple payments ranging from ₦60 million to over ₦72 million for workshops and policy-related activities.

The advocacy group also alleged that payments for services such as media coverage, logistics, refreshments, training programmes and asset coding were made into the personal bank accounts of staff members instead of registered contractors or vendors, raising concerns about possible violations of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

According to TADI, despite repeated requests, the ministry has not provided certified copies of payment vouchers, procurement approvals, bid evaluation reports, contract documents, vendor records or evidence of statutory deductions and remittances for taxes.

The organisation stressed that its planned lawsuit does not amount to an accusation of guilt against the ministry or any official but is intended to enforce compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and ensure public access to records held by government institutions.

“The allegations involve substantial sums of public money running into hundreds of millions of naira. Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability. Public confidence is strengthened when institutions provide documentary evidence, not merely assurances,” Yomi David said.

He added that the legal action aligns with the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and public sector reforms, noting that the FOI Act remains a critical instrument for promoting openness in governance.

TADI said it remains committed to pursuing accountability through lawful and constitutional means while working with public institutions to strengthen transparency, combat corruption and build public confidence in democratic governance.

The Federal Ministry of Police Affairs had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.