THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Freedom of information (FOI), access to information and open access policies are the toasts of the moment in the international arefia. Countries with freedom of information laws and practice are considered ‘free’ while those without FOI mechanisms are treated almost like pariahs in the comity of democratic nations. This is because FOI is believed to be critical to democracy, human rights and good governance. Nigeria joined the prestigious league of countries with FOI legislations on May 28\" 2011 when the Freedom of information Act came into force. Since its adoption, the Act has been hailed as a landmark piece of legislation especially in view of its elaborate judicial review provisions. This paper examined the role of the judiciary in the implementation of FOF Act in Nigeria. So far, judicial attitude to the FOI Act has evoked public confidence in the capacity of the court as the bastion of justice.’ This is especially so with reference to the overwhelming evidence oft quick dispensation of justice, and effective prescription of time-limit for compliance with court decisions in judicial review cases under the, FOI Act. The paper however argued that due to some ‘missing links’ and institutional bottlenecks in the judicial system, courts may be out of the reach of some applicants who have been wrongfully denied their right of access to information under the FOI Act.