In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional the long-standing practice of channeling local government funds through state governments.
This judgment marks a significant milestone in the quest for financial autonomy and self-governance at the local level.
The suit, filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, sought to establish the administrative and financial independence of local governments in Nigeria.
Prior to this ruling, local government funds were being managed and disbursed through state joint allocation accounts, a practice that has been criticized for perpetuating dependence and undermining local government autonomy.
The Supreme Court’s verdict now paves the way for direct funding of local governments, enabling them to manage their resources independently and make decisions tailored to their unique needs and priorities.
This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for grassroots development and democratic governance in Nigeria.
