The Nigerian Supreme Court has declared that the federation’s 774 local government units (LGAs) should be granted full budgetary autonomy.
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, a panel of seven Supreme Court Justices, chaired by Justice Garba Lawal, issued the verdict.
On June 13, the Supreme Court heard the lawsuit between the federal and state governments over local government authority and reserved judgement. Related Stories
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed the complaint, SC/CV/343/2024, seeking full autonomy and direct fund allocation to the country’s 774 local government units.
Fagbemi sought the Supreme Court to withhold payments from LGAs controlled by caretaker committees appointed by governors, rather than elected chairmen and councillors.
The 36 state governors and their solicitors general reject the suit, citing a lack of jurisdiction by the Supreme Court. On Thursday (today), the Supreme Court issued an order granting the LGAs complete financial autonomy and recognising them as an independent sector of the federation.
