A court in Nigeria said President Muhammadu Buhari can choose not to reveal the cost of his health treatment.
The court ruled on Tuesday that Buhari, 75 does not have to disclose the cost treating his undisclosed illness.
President Buhari traveled to London for series of medical treatment, with many worried about his ability to govern.
Advocacy for InformationÂ
The civil society group, the Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative filed the case.
The group sent a freedom of information request to the Central Bank of Nigeria for details of Buhari’s medical bill.
Leaders of the group want to know how much Nigerian taxpayers paid for their president’s private medical treatment.
But the Judge John Tsoho said the Freedom of Information Act provides for an exemption where personal information is not publicly available.
“There is no evidence of the president having consented to disclosure of personal information relating to his health and the information is certainly not publicly available,” he said.
“I therefore hold that the information sought by the applicant… is exempt,” he told the Federal High Court in Abuja in a ruling.
The judge said “On the whole, the applicants’ suit is not sustained and it is struck out.”
Available Option
The group can however access the medical bill of Buhari by writing to the office of the president’s chief of staff, the judge advised.
President Buhari is seeking re-election in the presidential elections next year despite concerns about his health and age.
Buhari has contested for president in 2003, 2007 and 2011 but only became successful and 2015.
Source: Africafeeds.com
