Naija Lives Matter (NLM) has secured a legal victory against the Ogun State Government after a Federal High Court in Abeokuta ordered the disclosure of details of a controversial 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Abiodun Adeyemi, compels the state government and key ministries to release critical documents relating to the long-term industrial development deal in Sagamu.
The suit marked FHC/AB/CS/105/2025 was initiated by NLM founder, Dr. Ope Banwo, through his lawyer, Barrister Yemi Salman, following what the group described as persistent refusal by the Ogun State Government to provide information on the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project.
Reacting to the judgment, Banwo described the decision as a landmark victory for transparency and the public’s right to access information on the use of state resources.
“This judgment is a clear directive that the Ogun State Government must open up the details of its 45-year contract with ARISE IIP,” he said.
“This is not about speculation. It is about the right of the people to know how a long-term agreement involving public resources was structured. The court has affirmed that this information cannot be hidden.”
Banwo also said the ruling represents a critical moment for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, urging full compliance with the court order.
“We believe the governor now has an opportunity to demonstrate respect for the rule of law by choosing transparency over secrecy and accountability over avoidance,” he stated.
“Disobedience of a lawful court order is not just a legal issue; it is a public accountability issue.”
He expressed optimism that the state government would release all requested documents within the 14-day timeline set by the court, warning against any attempt to disregard the ruling.
The documents sought include the full PPP agreement, details of investors, funding structure, land allocation, procurement process, environmental impact assessments, and internal government approvals.
NLM maintained that the lawsuit became necessary after repeated requests for the information were allegedly ignored, despite provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Observers say the judgment could have wider implications for transparency in public-private partnerships across Nigeria, particularly those involving long-term commitments and significant public resources
