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The G.A.L Initiative, in collaboration with the Joint National Civil Society Organisation, has raised the alarm over alleged suppression of contract records relating to over ₦60 billion reportedly allocated for erosion control projects in Enugu North Senatorial District, Enugu State, and has approached the Court of Appeal to seek redress.

The alarm was raised in a press statement signed by Mr. Zekeri Idris Mohammed, Spokesperson of the G.A.L Initiative, in collaboration with the Joint National Civil Society Organisation.

According to the Initiative, the public interest litigation instituted in November 2025 concerns erosion control projects at Onuiyi Gully, Aloruno Gully, Imilike Etiti Gully and Anyazuru Ohom Orba, which it alleges have been abandoned despite substantial sums reportedly received for their execution.

The projects were associated with the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, and the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The organisation said it had initially requested certified true copies, CTCs, of the relevant contract documents covering the projects and the funds received through the agency’s Enugu State Project Office between 2015 and 2023.

It said the failure to release the documents forced it to approach the Federal High Court in Enugu for an order compelling the relevant public institutions to provide access to the records.

The Initiative expressed disappointment over the decision of the Federal High Court, Enugu, presided over by Justice M. T. Segun-Bello, which dismissed the case on March 18, 2026, on the ground that NEWMAP, as a federal government project management body, was not a juristic person capable of being sued.

The group said the ruling, if left unchallenged, could set a dangerous precedent that makes it difficult to obtain public records relating to huge public project funds and to scrutinise implementation of projects meant to protect vulnerable communities from environmental devastation.

“Our demand is straightforward: we want access to the contract documents relating to these projects. We are not asking for anything beyond the transparency and accountability that should ordinarily accompany the expenditure of public resources,” Mohammed said.

He noted that the continued refusal to release the requested documents has prevented independent examination of the contracts and project implementation, adding that erosion-affected communities deserve answers on the status of the projects and utilisation of funds allocated.

Following the dismissal, the Initiative has instructed its counsel to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division. The appeal, marked as Appeal No: CA/E/127/2026, is pending a hearing date.

The organisation expressed confidence that the appellate court would examine the issues raised and grant appropriate relief, including an order for release of the requested CTCs.

Its lead counsel, C. I. Odo, Esq., also expressed confidence in the appeal, maintaining that the case has merit and that the appellate court would have an opportunity to reconsider the issues arising from the decision of the trial court.

The G.A.L Initiative emphasised that its immediate objective is to obtain the relevant records to establish greater transparency around implementation of the erosion control projects, noting that access to the documents would enable the public and stakeholders to examine contractual arrangements and assess project status.

It stressed that the condition of erosion-affected communities makes transparency imperative, insisting residents should not be left without answers about projects intended to address environmental threats.

While expressing disappointment with the outcome at the trial court, the Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the case through the judicial process and urged the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, to ensure due consideration of the issues.

The organisation called for greater accountability in management of publicly funded projects, stressing that public institutions entrusted with substantial resources must operate within a framework that permits appropriate scrutiny of activities and expenditure.

It maintained that release of the requested contract documents would represent an important step towards transparency and public accountability, while allowing relevant facts surrounding the projects to be examined.