FOI Bill is fundamental to democracy

The Nation newspaper, Monday, October 23, 2006

Excerpt of an interview with Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo, a political scientist-turned lawyer, who was called to the Bar 20 years ago. Taiwo, the second Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, is a member of the International Bar Association.He specialized in General Litigation, Maritime Law and Commercial Law. Taiwo, who is married to a Lagos High Court Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin, spoke with Adenike Adebayo on the unfolding events in Ekiti State, more powers for ICPC, enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill and other issues.

The Nation newspaper: The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill is before the National Assembly.  How can the proposed bill help EFCC’s struggle?

Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo: The Freedom of Information Bill will help the EFCC in that anybody with information about any governor of any government official who is alleged to have embezzled money, can take the information to the commission.  Besides, the person’s identity will not be disclosed. So that people will not send hired killers after that person or his family members at it obtains now.

I believe that the Freedom of Information Act is very very important. There is nothing that is more important in any democracy than freedom of speech.  Remove freedom of speech, then we are talking about dictatorship, we are talking of one-man rule, we are talking of anarchy.

Moreover, removal of freedom of speech leads to restriction of people’s access to information about government, access to hear their views, access to contribute meaningfully to anything that has to do with politics, economic or social discussions in this country.

So, we cannot fault in anyway that Act because it is very very fundamental to the success of democracy.