The Supreme Court, today, has declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations.
In its lead judgment 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 have 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.
1.orders states to ensure democratically elected LG systems.
2.grants financial autonomy to LGCs
3.orders funds accruing to LGCs to be paid directly to their coffers by the Federation Account.
… developing story
