The Federal Government has announced plans to initiate criminal proceedings against elected local government officials who collude with state governors to divert allocations meant for the 774 Local Government Areas across Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, during the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents.
The AGF emphasised that the decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to LGAs, describing the diversion of local government funds as an impeachable offence.
“We have been drawing these into the ears of the local government officials that look, the governors have immunity, but you don’t have. So, it is very easy for you to get yourself to Kuje or other prisons spread across Nigeria,” Fagbemi warned.
The Justice Minister lamented the extent of interference by some state governors, accusing them of orchestrating sham elections to install loyalists in LGAs. He revealed that while the Federal Government cannot interfere with local government elections, it will not hesitate to prosecute elected officials who mismanage funds from the federation account.
“The situation was also such that even when the secretariat needed to buy stationeries, you had to notify the governor in advance that you want to spend your money. And we have listened to such funny arguments before and after the judgment, to the effect that, oh, they are not matured enough. I said, how better are you? Are you any better? Leave them,” he added.
Fagbemi also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting financial autonomy for local governments despite significant political pressure.
“Before I go further, let me say that even before the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, there were so many pressures coming from left, right, and centre. But I give kudos to President Bola Tinubu, who despite the pressure, was able to stand up and say that he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that the 774 Local Government Areas are also people to be protected and he did so.”
He further hinted at the possibility of the Federal Government challenging the powers of state governments to conduct Area Council elections, citing the deplorable state of many local government secretariats as a motivating factor for the Supreme Court case against the 36 state governors.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, represented by the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute, Mr. Abdullaziz Olumo, used the occasion to caution journalists against sensational reporting and what she termed “trial by media.” She stressed that premature narratives could prejudice cases and infringe on constitutional rights.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, highlighted the judiciary’s role in ensuring justice prevails over technicalities. Speaking on the theme “The Role of Courts in the Enforcement of Judgments,” Ozekhome urged courts to maintain impartiality and fairness while also cautioning judges against preventing lawyers from adequately presenting their cases.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of NAJUC, Mr. Kayode Lawal, pledged the media’s dedication to fair and balanced reporting. He also called for comprehensive reforms to ensure that lawyers who compromise judges are swiftly and appropriately sanctioned.
