ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has issued a stern warning to local government officials, emphasizing strict adherence to the Supreme Court’s verdict on local government financial autonomy.
He cautioned that any official found tampering with local government funds risks severe consequences, including imprisonment.
Speaking at a conference for judiciary correspondents in Abuja on Thursday,
Fagbemi highlighted the significant setbacks grassroots governance has suffered over the years, Channels Television reports.
He expressed optimism that the enforcement of local government autonomy would revitalize governance at this level.
“People at the grassroots have suffered long negligence, and it is enough.
“The government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR) is here to right the wrongs of the past and put the country on a high pedestal among the comity of nations.
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“That is why any attempt to sabotage this effort will be confronted headlong and given the desired treatment”, Fagbemi stated.
He further pointed out the disparity in accountability between governors, who enjoy constitutional immunity, and local government officials, who do not.
“The local government chairmen and councilors should not forget the governors have immunity, and they (LG officials) don’t.
“They have to choose between dealing with the funds of the local government as they like and risking going to jail. The choice is absolutely theirs.
“If they want to tamper with the funds and end up in jail, it is their choice. Or if they want to write their names in letters of gold, activities like the construction or upgrading of roads, schools, hospitals, etc., must return to the local governments. Life must come back to the local governments”, he emphasized.
In July, the Supreme Court delivered a groundbreaking judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local governments.
This decision prohibited state governors from controlling local government funds, instead mandating the Attorney General to ensure direct disbursement of allocations to local government accounts.