BREAKING: Supreme Court Orders FG To Immediately Pay Money Directly To Local Govts

In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court has granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.

In the landmark judgment delivered on Thursday, the apex court mandated the Federal Government to commence direct payment of funds to the exclusive accounts of the local governments.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, criticized the long-standing denial of financial autonomy to local governments by state governments. He emphasized that the 774 local government councils should independently manage their finances.

The court dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the defendants, particularly state Governors.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court directed that allocations from the Federation Account intended for local governments should now be transferred directly to them, bypassing state government control.

Justice Agim highlighted that the withholding of funds by state Governors hampers the operations of local governments. He ordered immediate compliance with the judgment, prohibiting any further disbursement of local government funds to state governments.