In a significant stride towards institutional transparency and public accountability, the Federal High Court (FHC) has officially established a Freedom of Information (FoI) Desk at its headquarters in Abuja.
The court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, who made the announcement, emphasized that the initiative is aimed at enhancing access to court records and promoting effective communication between the judiciary and the public—particularly journalists.
“The Information/FoI Desk has been created to serve as a central point for receiving inquiries from journalists and members of the public, submitting formal FoI requests, and providing guidance on accessing public records in accordance with the FoI Act,” Dr. Christopher stated.
Location & Contact
The FoI Desk is situated at the FHC Headquarters, Abuja, and is operational during official working hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
It is fully staffed with trained personnel ready to guide individuals and organizations seeking information about the court’s decisions, procedures, and administrative actions.
Email: fhc.informationdepartment@gmail.com
Phone: 0916 000 5854
Legal Framework
Established under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the desk underscores the Federal High Court’s commitment to supporting the constitutional right to information. The Act provides every Nigerian citizen with the enforceable right to access information held by public institutions—fostering transparency and strengthening democratic governance.
This move aligns the FHC with global standards in open justice and reinforces its readiness to collaborate with the media and civil society in promoting accountability in the judicial sector.
⚖️ LegalLinkz Commentary
The operationalisation of the FoI Desk is a welcome development in Nigeria’s judicial landscape. LegalLinkz encourages legal professionals, civil society actors, and journalists to utilize this platform for responsible information gathering and public enlightenment.
For updates on how courts across Nigeria are embracing open justice principles, stay connected with LegalLinkz.
