The Senate today passed the Freedom of Information Bill. The House of Representatives had passed the Bill on February 24.

It has taken the current session of the National Assembly a total of four years to pass the Bill, which has been renamed the Right of Information Bill 2011. It was reintroduced in the National Assembly in 2007, shortly after the current session of lawmakers was constituted.

The Bill was sponsored by Abike Dabiri (ACN, Lagos), a former journalist.

The Bill will make it easier for Nigerians to have access to information on government activities. Among other things, it will establish a (new) right for any person to request information, "whether or not contained in any written form which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution."

According to section 5 of the Act, where information is applied for under the Act, the public institution shall, within seven days after the application is received, make the information available to the applicant.

A person who is denied access to any information may, however, sue the public institution within 30 days of the notice of denial and the court is mandated to hear the case summarily under the Act.

It is an offence punishable by three years imprisonment, under the Act, for any public officer of a public institution to destroy, alter, falsify, or deliberately misrepresent information kept in their custody.

Over 85 countries around the world have implemented some form of such legislation. Sweden's Freedom of the Press Act of 1766 is the oldest.

Read More: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5683645-146/story.csp

They have all decided to wake up when they know PDP days are numbered

Bullshite! They had no choice anyway.

*whistling*

I can see clearly now- Johnny Nash

Buhari threat is real, PDP is acting like they actually know the right things to do. Is this the new PDP? PDP with a conscience? We will like to see the contents of that bill, i suspect it may have been altered or "amended". Big question, will Jonathan sign it? This can finally make or break his election. This bill is very very important. Is he willing to explain to Nigerian's what happened to the reserves par this bill?

I heard on AIT yesterday that one has to seek the courts permission before u can request a FOI . Looking at the way Courts handle matters in Nigeria - you will have to wait for years before the courts grants authority.

I would love to see the contents of the bill.

^^^ Make we see whether this president go sign am into law before election. That way you might not have to wait till next year to see it.  No more excuses, 20 days is more than enough to sign that document into law, or tell us why it needs to be sent back to senate.

I already have my wish list waiting. So many things need explanation in Nigeria.