The Supreme Court, on Thursday, declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold on to funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations.
In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.
He said local governments has since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead.
Justice Agim noted that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
He dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants (state governors).
In the suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the Federal Government sought an order preventing the governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils.
The suit by the AGF was on 27 grounds.
Justice Agim said the AGF has the right to institute the suit and protect the constitution.
The apex court consequently directed that Local Government allocation from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them henceforth.
BY MICHAEL AKINOLA The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, view with grave concern the…
Some nights are about the drinks. Others are about the people you meet, the…
BY MICHAEL AKINOLA Businessman and social media influencer, Afolabi Michael Kazeem, popularly known as KC…
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan…
KINGSLEY EBERE Former President General of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Chief Sunday Udeh,…
ADEOLA OGUNLADE The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), has…