Court adjourns Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders’ case against FCT Minister to May 13 for hearing

Court adjourns Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders’ case against FCT Minister to May 13 for hearing

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned until May 13 a case filed by the Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for hearing over access to information on abandoned stadium projects in the territory.

The case, heard by Justice M. G. Umar of Federal High Court 5, was adjourned after the Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders who were represented in court by Babatunde Akintade Legal Consult while the FCT Minister was absent and had no legal representation.

Justice Umar ruled that the matter would be adjourned to allow the Minister the opportunity to appear in court for the hearing. The stakeholders of the Gwagwalada Football Council were fully represented at the court, being the Claimant/Applicant.

Speaking with journalists at the court premises after the adjournment, lead counsel to the Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders, Babatunde Akintade, expressed optimism that the defendant would appear at the next hearing.

Akintade said the stakeholders were not making excessive demands but were only seeking transparency regarding sports infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory.

“We are hopeful that at the next sitting the defendant will be represented. Our clients are not asking for too much; they simply want the relevant information concerning the abandoned stadiums in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

According to him, the stakeholders are demanding the information in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders had earlier written to the FCT Minister late last year requesting details regarding several abandoned stadium projects across the territory, invoking the Freedom of Information law to obtain the relevant records.

The case is expected to resume on May 13.