National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Taiwo Niyi
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal Government must directly pay funds allocated to local governments across Nigeria.
This landmark decision follows a lawsuit filed against all 36 states’ governments concerning the autonomy of local governments.
The court’s ruling specifies that only local governments managed by democratically elected officials are entitled to these direct payments, excluding those managed by appointed officials.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, declared it unconstitutional for state governments to withhold and utilise funds meant for local governments.
He cited Section 162(3) of the Constitution, which mandates the transfer of these allocations directly to the local governments.
This lawsuit was initiated by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), seeking full autonomy for local governments.
Justice Agim emphasised that the decision would ensure that local governments, which are closest to the people, receive the necessary resources to effectively deliver services.
This move is expected to strengthen local governance, improve service delivery, and foster development across the nation.
The ruling has been hailed as a significant step towards reinforcing the federal structure of Nigeria, ensuring that local governments can operate independently and fulfill their constitutional responsibilities without undue interference from state governments.
