LG Autonomy: What Will Happen to Govs Who Tamper with LGA Funds, Circumvent Supreme Court Judgement

TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said that the federal government will move against states enacting laws that are directed at circumventing the the Supreme Court judgement on Local Government autonomy.

LG autonomy: FG moves to deal with state govs

Fagbemi said Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government will not hesitate in initiating contempt proceedings against such states while their attorneys general would be referred to the Legal Practioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for misconduct.

The AGF, stated this on Thursday December 12, while addressing the 2024 annual conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), in Abuja.

He warned the chairmen of the 774 LGAs across Nigeria against mismanaging local government funds.

He said:

“By the July 11, 2024 judgment of the Supreme Court, which granted financial autonomy to LGAs in the country, any governor who tampers with the finances of the LGAs in his state is seen to have committed a gross misconduct, which is an impeachable offence.”

As reported by The Nation, Fagbemi, while highlighting the critical role local governments play in delivering grassroots development, urged council chairmen and other officials to prioritize their constitutional duties.

“Primary education must be accessible to every child. Pregnant women and infants must receive quality healthcare, and the vulnerable in the society must benefit from sustainable welfare programmes,” he said.

Speaking further, the minister noted that the financial autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court in July 11, 2024, was designed to empower them to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

However, he noted that if any local government chairman chooses to misuse public funds and fail to deliver on his or her constitutional mandates, such LG chairman risks going to jail.

The AGF added that local government chairmen do not have immunity like state governors.

Read more about LG autonomy here:

Oshiomhole speaks on LG autonomy

Earlier, TheTalk.NG reported that Oshiomhole expressed optimism that granting local government autonomy will lead to the emergence of billionaires who will drive job creation at the council level.

The former Edo state governor stated this while announcing his support for the local government autonomy in the country.

Oshiomhole’s comment came after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

Source: TheTalk.NG

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