Attorney General Warns Against Overturning LGA Autonomy Decision
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments cannot be overturned.
This decision mandates that funds allocated to local governments be paid directly to them from the Federation Account, bypassing state governments.
The ruling also prohibits state governors from unlawfully dissolving elected local government officials and replacing them with caretaker committees.
Fagbemi described the ruling as a significant step toward “emancipating” local governments and warned that state governors must comply immediately.
Failure to follow the Supreme Court’s directives could have legal consequences.
The court’s ruling is seen as a win for democracy, ensuring that local governments can manage their finances independently without interference from state governments.