SGF dragged to Court over refusal to release Matawalle’s academic records

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and its Permanent Secretary have been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja for refusing to release the academic records and curriculum vitae of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

In the suit, marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/2449/2025, dated and filled on November 14, the plaintiff, the Registered Trustees of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, through its counsel, Mubarak Bala said, it initiated the legal action after the SGF’s office declined its Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking Matawalle’s academic and appointment documents.

The plaintiff, in the suit which has the SGF, the Permanent Secretary, and the Minister of State for Defence as the 1st to 3rd defendants is asking the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), 2(6), 4, and 7(1) of the FOI Act, it is entitled to access the curriculum vitae and supporting documents submitted by a serving minister for the purpose of appointment.

The group also questioned the SGF office’s reliance on Section 14(1) of the FOI Act—which protects personal information—arguing that Section 14(2) mandates disclosure where public interest outweighs possible harm to privacy.

According to the group, Matawalle’s academic and background records fall under matters of legitimate public interest, given his status as a public office holder.

The plaintiff is further seeking several declarations that the SGF’s refusal to release Matawalle’s CV and supporting documents is unlawful and contrary to Sections 1(1), 4, 7, and 14(2) of the FOI Act.

That a minister’s CV submitted during the appointment process constitutes a public record under Section 2(6) of the Act. An order of mandamus compelling the SGF to release the documents or provide an official summary, as well as an order directing the respondents to pay N5,000,000 as general damages for the denial of access.

The applicant said that, it made a valid FOI request to the SGF’s office, which was denied on grounds of personal information protection.

The refusal, the plaintiff said, violated its statutory right to access public information.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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