….LGAs freed from shackles of the past

Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation, has hailed the Supreme Court’s recent decision, stating that it has “emancipated” Local Government Areas (LGAs) from past restrictions. The ruling mandates that the federal government pay allocations directly to LGAs, bypassing state governors who have been accused of misusing these funds.

The Supreme Court, in a decision by a seven-member panel, found that state governors had abused their authority by retaining and using funds meant for LGAs. The court also directed the federal government to withhold allocations to LGAs governed by unelected officials.

Speaking with journalists after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Fagbemi emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling is effective immediately. He stated that the responsibility now lies with state governors to conduct local government elections, noting that the judgment includes penalties for non-compliance.

“Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy. Nigerians are happy about it,” Fagbemi remarked. “I call it the local government emancipation judgment because it has really emancipated the local government from the shackles of the past.”

Fagbemi expressed hope that local government officials will seize this opportunity to foster development within their jurisdictions. “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,” he concluded.