The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has cautioned local government officials against violating the Supreme Court’s judgment on financial autonomy for local governments, warning of stringent consequences for any infractions.
Speaking at a conference for judiciary correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, Fagbemi emphasized the need to revive governance at the grassroots level, which he said has “suffered a lot” over the years.
He highlighted the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to addressing past neglect and repositioning the country.
“People at the grassroots have suffered long negligence, and it is enough. The government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is here to right the wrongs of the past,”
Fagbemi said. “Local government chairmen and councilors must understand that they lack the immunity governors enjoy. They must choose between mismanaging local government funds and risking imprisonment or restoring development to their communities.”
The AGF stressed that proper utilization of local government funds is crucial, urging officials to focus on projects such as road construction, school upgrades, and hospital development. He vowed to enforce the Supreme Court ruling to ensure local governments regain their intended role in governance.
In July, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local governments. The ruling prohibited state governors from controlling local government allocations and directed the AGF to ensure that funds are paid directly into local government accounts, strengthening autonomy and accountability at the grassroots.
