Supreme Court Bar Governors From Holding Local Government Funds

The Supreme Court has ruled on the case brought by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors regarding local government autonomy.

In the suit, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) sought full autonomy and direct funding for the 774 local governments in Nigeria.

The Federal Government, in the suit predicted on 27 grounds, accused the governors of misconduct and abuse of power.

The FG requested the Supreme Court to order that local government funds from the Federation Account be paid directly to the local governments instead of going through the state governments.

The government also asked for an injunction to prevent governors from handling local government funds unless there is a democratically elected local government system in place.

In the lead judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional for governors to control funds meant for local governments.

Justice Agim noted that state governments have denied financial autonomy to local governments for over two decades, with governors withholding the funds.

The court decided that local governments should manage their own funds and dismissed the governors’ objections.

Justice Agim affirmed the Attorney General’s right to bring the case to protect the constitution.

The Supreme Court directed that from now on, local government funds should be paid directly to them.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum also had disagreed with the Federal Government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage, stating that it’s not practical and won’t work.