The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has issued a stern warning to local government officials against violating the Supreme Court verdict affirming financial autonomy for local governments. Fagbemi vowed that any attempt to sabotage the ruling will be met with decisive action, including possible jail terms.
While speaking in Abuja during a conference for judiciary correspondents, Fagbemi emphasized the importance of restoring governance at the grassroots level. He expressed dismay at the “longstanding neglect” of local governments, describing the ruling as a necessary intervention to bring development closer to the people.
“Governance at the grassroots has suffered a lot in the past,” Fagbemi stated. “But with the enforcement of the verdict on local government autonomy, life will come back to the local governments. People at the grassroots have suffered long enough, and it is time to right the wrongs of the past.”
The AGF’s comments come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark July ruling, which ended the practice of state governors controlling local government funds. The judgment mandated the direct transfer of local government allocations to their accounts, a move hailed as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s third tier of government.
Fagbemi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to fully enforce the judgment and ensure local governments receive their funds unencumbered. “The government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR) is here to put the country on a high pedestal among the comity of nations,” he affirmed.
Directing his warning at Local Government Chairmen and Councilors, Fagbemi underscored that unlike governors, who are protected by constitutional immunity, council officials could face the full weight of the law if they tamper with funds.
“Local government officials have no immunity. They must choose between mismanaging funds and risking jail or using the money for the development of their communities,” Fagbemi said. “If they want to write their names in letters of gold, they should focus on impactful projects such as roads, schools, and hospitals. Life must return to the local governments.”
The AGF’s warning signals the Federal Government’s resolve to monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment closely. Analysts believe that this move could usher in a new era of grassroots development, provided funds are used transparently for community projects.
Prior to the ruling, state governors had been widely criticized for withholding or mismanaging local government funds, a practice that crippled infrastructure and service delivery at the grassroots level. The Supreme Court’s decision, therefore, represents a significant victory for local government autonomy advocates and a crucial step toward addressing governance deficiencies.
Fagbemi’s warning set the stage for heightened scrutiny of local government activities, as authorities aim to ensure compliance with the verdict. For local government officials, the choice is clear: either embrace the opportunity to transform their communities or face the consequences of mismanagement.
