The Federal Government (FG) has declared its intent to criminally prosecute officials who collude with state governors to divert allocations meant for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. This decision aligns with a recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to LGAs.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), warned that such actions are impeachable offenses.
Governors Accused of Undermining LG Autonomy
The AGF accused some governors of installing loyalists in LG councils through flawed elections to manipulate funds. While the FG cannot interfere with LGA elections, it plans to prosecute any elected officials found mismanaging allocations from the federation account.
Fagbemi highlighted the dire state of many LG secretariats, which led to the FG suing state governors at the Supreme Court. He also hinted at a potential legal challenge against the authority of states to conduct Area Council elections.
“It’s absurd that local governments must notify governors before spending their funds. Some argue LG officials aren’t mature enough to manage resources. My response is simple: ‘Are you any better?’ Let them work,” Fagbemi stated.
Local Government Officials Warned
The AGF cautioned LG officials about their vulnerability, noting that while governors enjoy constitutional immunity, they do not.
“We’ve emphasized this to local government officials: governors may have immunity, but you don’t. Mismanage funds, and you’ll find yourself in prison,” he warned.
The FG’s stance has been bolstered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for protecting the autonomy and resources of LGAs.
Accountability Demanded
Fagbemi urged LG councils to fulfill their constitutional duties, including improving primary education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“The time has come for Nigerians to demand accountability from every tier of government, not just the federal level. Any attempt to sabotage this effort will face decisive action,” he added.
Judiciary and Media Collaboration
At the conference, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, represented by Mr. Abdullaziz Olumo of the National Judicial Institute, emphasized the complementary roles of the judiciary and media in societal development. She cautioned journalists against sensationalism and “trial by media” that prejudges cases.
Call for Judicial Integrity
Keynote speaker Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) called on the judiciary to prioritize justice over technicalities. He advised judges to avoid associating with politically exposed individuals at events, as such actions may compromise public trust.
Ozekhome also proposed the formation of a judges’ association to defend against unfounded corruption allegations.
Conference Highlights
The event featured dignitaries, including Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, senior justice ministry officials, and prominent legal practitioners. NAJUC Chairman Kayode Lawal reiterated the media’s commitment to balanced reporting and called for reforms to punish lawyers who compromise judicial integrity.
The FG’s renewed focus on LG autonomy signals a bold step toward grassroots development and accountability.
