Ukwuani Councillor Files Suit Against Chairman, Treasurer Over Financial Secrecy

A councillor from Ukwuani Local Government Area in Delta State has initiated legal proceedings against the council’s Chairman and Treasurer over their refusal to disclose financial records as required by law. The High Court in Obiaruku granted the councillor, Chukwuemeke Kenneth, permission to proceed with a mandamus application on January 19, 2026. The councillor alleges that the council’s financial records, including revenue and expenditure details, have not been made public since July 2024, in violation of statutory duties.

Kenneth, representing Ward 19 (Ezhionum Kingdom), filed a motion against Barrister Chiamaka Solomon Possible Ajede (Chairman), Solomon Johnson Udih (Treasurer), and the Legislative House of Ukwuani Local Government. He seeks a court order compelling the Treasurer to release the financial records, as well as the council’s wage bill and 2025 budget performance.

The councillor also contests the quick passage of the 2025 draft budget, which he claims was passed without proper scrutiny. He argues that the budget unlawfully combined financial items from both Ukwuani and Ika North East LGAs. Kenneth further requests an injunction to block the presentation of the 2026 budget until full financial transparency is achieved.

In a statement, Kenneth expressed frustration over failed internal efforts to obtain the documents and emphasized the need for judicial intervention to promote transparency and good governance at the local government level.