Sokoto lawyers demand records of N60bn aircraft deal and N15bn consultancy fees

A group of lawyers in Sokoto has formally asked the state government to open its books on two big spending items: a reported N60 billion aircraft bought for Caliphate Air, and about N15 billion paid to financial consultants in 2024 and 2025.

The Sokoto Lawyers Forum for Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance made the request in a letter to the Commissioner of the state Ministry of Finance. The letter is dated October 29, 2026, and was stamped as received by the ministry the same day, according to Sahara Reporters.

It was signed by Ahmad Ishaq, H.U. Muhammad, A.M. Jariri and Mas'ud Umar.

The lawyers are relying on the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, a law that lets Nigerians ask government offices for public records. They cited several sections of the Act as the basis for their request.

What the lawyers want to see

On the aircraft, the lawyers want documents showing how it was procured, financed, paid for and operated. They are asking for the actual amount paid, who was involved in the deal, and the payment arrangements.

They have also written directly to the company that sold the aircraft, asking for its payment records. Their aim, they said, is to confirm the true purchase price rather than rely only on what the state government says.

The request follows allegations that the aircraft was bought without following due procurement procedures. The lawyers say official documents should show whether the law was followed.

On the consultancy fees, the group wants a breakdown of the roughly N15 billion paid out over the two fiscal years. They are asking for the names of the consultants, the contracts they got, the services they rendered, how much each was paid, and what the state gained from the work.

The lawyers raised concern over claims that about 29 per cent of the state's internally generated revenue goes to financial consultants. They questioned whether that level of spending can be justified when the state's own revenue is limited.

They are seeking consultancy agreements, procurement records, payment vouchers, invoices and performance reports.

The forum said public funds must be accounted for, and that officials should be ready to explain spending that raises questions about transparency and value for money.

What happens next

Under the FOI Act, a government office that receives such a request is expected to respond within the timelines set by the law. The ministry has not publicly commented on the letter, and there is no word yet on whether it will release the records.

For ordinary Sokoto residents, the answers matter: money spent on an aircraft or on consultants is money not available for roads, schools, health centres or salaries. How the state responds will show how seriously it treats public requests for its spending records.