The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has billed a law firm, V-C Ottaokpukpu & Associates, the sum of ₦1,505,901,750 for the printing of certified true copies of the national register of voters and polling units across the country.
A letter conveying the charge, dated October 13, began circulating online on Wednesday.
Confirming receipt of the letter to TheCable on Thursday morning, Vincent Otaokpukpu, the firm’s principal associate and chief counsel, said the request was made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011.
According to the letter, Otaokpukpu had written to INEC on October 8, seeking certified true copies of the national register of voters and the list of all existing polling units in every electoral ward in Nigeria.
INEC’s response indicated that the cost of producing the documents, which run into several volumes, amounted to ₦1.5 billion, covering printing and administrative expenses.
The development has generated reactions among legal and civic groups, with some questioning the reasonableness of the charge for information sought under the FOI Act, which is designed to promote transparency and public access to official records.
