The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, praised the recent Supreme Court ruling as a significant step in liberating local government areas (LGAs) from longstanding constraints.
On Thursday, July 12, the Supreme Court mandated that the federal government must directly allocate funds to local government councils, bypassing state governments. The seven-member panel highlighted that state governors have been misusing funds meant for LGAs.
Supreme Court Verdict On Local Governments Will Take Off With Immediate Effect — Attorney-General Of The Federation, Lateef Fagbemi
The court also directed the federal government to withhold allocations to LGAs governed by unelected officials, ensuring that funds are managed by duly elected representatives.
Speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Fagbemi emphasized that the Supreme Court’s judgment would take “immediate effect.” He noted that it is now incumbent upon state governors to conduct LGA elections, with the judgment outlining penalties for non-compliance.
He said;
“Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy. Nigerians are happy about it. I call it local government emancipation judgment because it has really emancipated the local government from the shackles of the past.
“I hope that local government officials will look at it as an opportunity to develop their various local governments.
“The judgment is clear as to what they should do, the judgment is clear as to what consequences will attach to failure or refusal to follow the judgment of the supreme court… which takes immediate effect.”