National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken legal action on behalf of the Federal Government against the 36 state governors. The suit, filed before the Supreme Court, aims to secure full autonomy for local governments across the country.
The suit, labeled SC/CV/343/2024, AGF urges the apex court to intervene, preventing state governors from unilaterally dissolving democratically elected local government leaders. The action is based on 27 grounds, arguing that Nigeria, as a federation, operates under the 1999 Constitution, with the President tasked to uphold its provisions.
Accusing state governors of misconduct and abuse of power, the AGF has sued them through their respective state Attorney-Generals. The AGF seeks an order directing the direct payment of local government credits from the Federation Account, bypassing the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.
Meanwhile, the minister has requested an injunction restraining governors and their affiliates from managing funds meant for local governments. The Federal Government also seeks to halt the formation of caretaker committees by governors, advocating for the preservation of constitutionally-recognized democratic systems at the local government level.
Supported by a detailed affidavit, the AGF’s legal move underscores the constitutional obligation to establish democratically elected local government systems. The summons highlights the failure of governors to comply with these constitutional provisions, asserting that disbursing funds to governors without established democratic structures undermines the constitution.
In response, the AGF calls upon the Supreme Court to invoke relevant constitutional sections, compelling governors and state assemblies to uphold democratic principles at the grassroots level. The court has set May 30, 2024, for the hearing, marking a crucial moment in Nigeria’s governance landscape.
