Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Federal Government has initiated a legal battle at the Supreme Court, aiming to compel the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states to grant full autonomy to local governments. The suit, designated as SC/CV/343/2024, was filed by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government is seeking a Supreme Court order to prevent state governors from unlawfully dissolving democratically elected local government leaders. The suit, based on 27 grounds, accuses the governors of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
A key aspect of the suit requests that funds from the Federation Account be paid directly to local governments, rather than through state governments. Additionally, the Federal Government seeks an injunction to stop governors from handling local government funds in states without democratically elected local government systems.
The suit also calls for an end to the appointment of caretaker committees to run local governments, which the Federal Government argues is unconstitutional. The case is supported by a 13-paragraph affidavit from Kelechi Ohaeri of the Federal Ministry of Justice, highlighting that the Constitution mandates a democratically elected local government system.
Ohaeri pointed out that despite clear constitutional provisions, governors have failed to establish such systems, thereby undermining the Constitution. The Attorney-General urged the Supreme Court to enforce constitutional sections ensuring a democratic local government system and to declare any dissolution of democratically elected local governments as unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for May 30. The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees has welcomed the Federal Government’s move and announced its intention to join the lawsuit as an interested party.
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