Wale Jagun
The Supreme Court has declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant to administered Local Government.
In a landmark ruling Thursday, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court declared the LG funds from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to the LG.
The decision resolved the dispute over financial autonomy of the 774 LGs in the country.
This decision dismisses objections raised against the suit filed by the Attorney – General of Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, by state governors who previously held control over these funds.
The court also acknowledged the legal of the AGF to protect democratically elected local councils from arbitrary dissolution by governor and upheld the right of local governments to self-governance.
