The Supreme Court has declared that state governors’ withholding of funds meant for Local Government administrations is unconstitutional.
According to Channels, the apex court’s lead judgment, read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, emphasized that local governments should manage their funds independently, as intended by the constitution.
The court dismissed the preliminary objections of the state governors, who had argued against the suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
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 Lateef Fagbemi, 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.
