JUST IN: Supreme Court Grants Local Govt Financial Autonomy 

By Stephen Asaba-ase

In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court has mandated that all funds allocated to Local Governments (LGs) be paid directly from the Federation Account to the LGAs, effective immediately. This ruling ensures that democratically elected officials in LGAs have full control over their finances, bypassing state governments.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, declared it unconstitutional for state governments to withhold and utilize LG allocations without transferring them to the rightful recipients, as stipulated in Section 162(3) of the Constitution.

This landmark ruling is a significant milestone in the ongoing legal battle initiated by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to secure full autonomy for Local Government Areas. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for grassroots governance and development in Nigeria.