The funds, referred to as "Signature Bonus," were reportedly disbursed by the Federal Government, and Abubakar sought clarification on their allocation to the 25 local government areas in Niger State.
S.D. Abubakar Esq., a Niger state-based legal practitioner and human rights activist, has raised alarm about threats to his life for his efforts to ensure transparency in the disbursement of N461 million allocated to each of Nigeria's 774 local government areas.
The funds, referred to as "Signature Bonus," were reportedly disbursed by the Federal Government, and Abubakar sought clarification on their allocation to the 25 local government areas in Niger State.
This follows a Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, which abolished the state-local government joint account system.
In his statement, Abubakar explained that the threats began after he granted an interview to a Minna-based Hausa online news platform, questioning the disbursement process.
"I have undertaken this task as a lawyer and human rights activist, fully aware of the potential consequences.
“If anything unfortunate happens to me, it will be due to my brave attempt to challenge the status quo and advocate for lawful governance," he said.
Abubakar submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Accountant General of the Federation and Niger State Governor Umar Bago, demanding clarity on whether the funds had been disbursed to the 25 LGAs as directed.
He further stated, "My inquiries are neither criminal nor personal but are driven by a desire to ensure that funds meant for the public benefit are utilised accordingly."
He expressed hope that the threats stemmed from overzealous individuals and not from Governor Bago, whom he described as a democrat.
Despite facing anonymous threats, physical assault attempts, and social media attacks, Abubakar remains committed to his cause, notifying the Nigerian Bar Association, the Attorney General of the Federation, and civil society organisations about the intimidation he has faced.
The FOI request addressed to the Accountant General’s office specifically seeks to verify the total sum credited to Niger State’s account, the purpose of the funds, and whether the LGAs received their allocation.
Abubakar stressed the urgency of transparency, stating, "The timeous release of this information would enhance public trust in governance and allow citizens to monitor the use of public funds."
The lawyer also called on Nigerians to pray for his safety and justice, urging adherence to principles of accountability to strengthen governance in Niger State and beyond.