Reps throw out Freedom of Information Bill

Bola Badmus and Idowu Samuel, Abuja - 30.04.2008

Against all expectations, the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill into law suffered a major defeat as the House of Representatives on Tuesday threw the bill out.

However, Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Honourable Ita Enang, who spoke on the issue, said the bill was not killed yet but sponsor of the bill, Honourable Abike Dabiri, reacted that Enang was not telling the truth.

Dabiri, who stood close to Enang at the media briefing shortly after the House rose for the day, said: “ I disagree with him (Enag), this has been the fifth time that the bill would be brought to the floor.”

According to her, if that is not the situation, members would have asked that they be given another day to debate the bill at the Committee of the Whole instead of voting it out as they did.

She said the death of the bill could be an indication on how the fight against corruption in the country would be waged.

The House finally threw the bill which promoters had argued would assist media practitioners in their profession as well as fight corruption in all its ramifications out.