Recovered N13bn: CSNAC Invokes FoI on Lagos over Ownership of Osborne Apartment

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), which is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organisations, has issued a Freedom of Information (FoI) application to the Ministry of Lands in Lagos State, demanding the record on the identity of the registered owner of apartment 7B situate at No 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had recently busted the apartment and recovered cash in both local and foreign currency amounting to N13billion. 

In the application signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC said the records of ownership by the government agency would aid the investigations by civil society and the media.

The application read: “In view of the current media report, especially the report by online newspaper, dated April 17, 2017 with respect to the conflicting identity of the likely owner(s) of the aforementioned apartment, 7B, No. 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi where vast sums of money in different currencies were found by the EFCC operatives on a tip-off from a whistleblower. 

“We believe that records of ownership available to your ministry will aid the investigations by civil society and the media, thus this application is brought pursuant to the provisions of Section 2, 3, and 4 of the FoI Act, 2011.

“We look forward to your utmost cooperation and the prompt receipt of the requested information and in any event, within seven days of this application as provided under the FoI Act, 2011,” the application said.