Nigeria enacts law protecting access to information

AFP

31 May 2011

Nigeria enacts law protecting access to information

ABUJA (AFP) – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has signed into law a bill specifying punishment for denial of free access to information or destruction of public documents, his office said Tuesday.

The bill, which has generated heated controversy in the past five years, spells out a minimum of one year in prison for anyone who wilfully destroys public documents.

"Where a case of wrongful denial of access is established, the defaulting officer or institution commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of 500,000 naira ($3,200; 2,225 euros)," it adds.

Matters relating to defence and international affairs are exempt.

Sensitive documents have for decades mysteriously disappeared in Nigeria, notably those related to investigations into graft and indiscipline.

Jonathan signed the bill, championed in parliament by two former journalists, on Saturday. He was inaugurated for his first full four-year term as president the following day.