The Supreme Court had held that henceforth, the Federal Government should pay any money standing to the credit of the Local Governments in the Federation directly to the 774 Local Government Areas managed by democratically elected officials.
The apex court ruled that the control of local government areas funds by states is unconstitutional.
In the suit, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, sought full autonomy and direct fund allocation to the 774 local governments in the country.
In a lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court said state governors can’t hold on to funds meant for local government administrations.
Justice Agim said the refusal of the state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.
According to him, local governments have since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead.
While noting that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves, he dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants (state governors).
Justice Agim said the AGF has the right to institute the suit and protect the constitution.
Consequently, the apex court directed that local government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them henceforth.
Source: Daily Post
