FOI Breach: CSO Threatens Legal Action As AMAC Withholds Advert Contract Details

A civil society organisation, Concerned Citizens of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has issued a final three-day ultimatum to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to release full details of its contract with Takushara Nigeria Limited, the council’s technical partner for outdoor advertisements, or face legal action.

This demand came from the CSO, which has accused the council of violating the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.

In a follow-up letter addressed to the AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the group’s Coordinator, Dr Joel Dipo, expressed disappointment that the council failed to respond within the statutory seven-day period required by law after their initial request on 24th November, 2025.

“We kindly write to inform you that seven days has elapsed but we are yet to receive the said information.

“We will be inclined to give your office an additional three days from the date of receipt of this letter to furnish us with the information requested,” the letter stated.

The group is seeking transparency regarding the entire process that led to the appointment of Takushara Nigeria Limited, citing credible intelligence about malfeasance in the council’s advertisement revenue collection.

Dipo linked the inquiry to the activities of an individual allegedly parading the council’s account details for revenue collection.

The demand specifically includes the release of four critical documents: the advertisement for the partnership, application letters from Takushara and other applicants, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the company and AMAC, and the financial statement of inflows from the partnership.

Citing the FOI Act, the letter emphasised the legal obligation of public institutions, quoting, “By the provision of section 2(2) [of the FOI Act], a public institution shall ensure proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody in a manner that facilitates public access to such information.”

“However sir, in the case you refuse to release the needed information as stipulated by the law, Take Notice that we will immediately initiate a suit in a competent court of jurisdiction,” the letter read in part.i

FOI Breach: CSO Threatens Legal Action As AMAC Withholds Advert Contract Details is first published on The Whistler Newspaper