The Supreme Court, on Thursday, declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold unto funds meant for Local Government administrations.
In a lead judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of the state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.
He held that 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 be allowed to manage their funds themselves and dismissed the preliminary objections of the 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 or tempering with the funds of the local governments.
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.
….Details latter
