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It’s Unconstitutional For Governors To Hold LG Funds, Supreme Court Declares

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Local Government in Nigeria
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The Supreme Court, on Thursday, declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations

In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the state governments’ refusal of financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.

Justice Agim said local governments have since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead.

He noted that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.

He dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants (state governors).

Long Walk To LG Autonomy

There are 774 local government areas in the country but the efficiency of the third tier of government has been hampered by the weight of some controlling and overbearing governors who have been accused of mismanaging funds meant for the administration of local governments.

In the last few months, calls for local government autonomy have increased in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu also supported the calls. In May, the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, sued the 36 state governors over alleged misconduct of local government funds.

Currently, the Federal Government gets 52.68%, and states get 26.72%. In comparison, LGs get 20.60% of the country’s monthly revenue allocated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) which operates under the Presidency, and disbursed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Interestingly, LG funds are paid into a joint account operated by state governments and local governments in their domains.

In the suit filed by AGF, the Federal Government sought an order preventing the governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils. The suit by the AGF was on 27 grounds.

The 36 state governors, who are defendants in the suit, opposed the AGF for instituting the case.

The Verdict

In his judgement, Justice Agim said the AGF has the right to institute the suit and protect the constitution.

The apex court consequently directed that Local Government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them henceforth, and not to state government coffers.

Justice Agim pointed out that the state governors’ retention of the monies meant for the Local Governments truncates the latter’s activities.

Justice Agim ordered the immediate compliance of the judgement, stating that no state government should be paid monies meant for Local Governments.

More to follow…

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South Korean corruption investigators move to arrest impeached president

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South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, CIO said on Monday it has requested the defense ministry and the presidential security service to cooperate ahead of the second attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The CIO said it sent letters to the ministry and the security service late Sunday asking for their cooperation and warning of legal consequences should they fail to comply, according to the Yonhap.

In the letter to the defense ministry, the CIO said any soldier obstructing the execution of Yoon’s arrest warrants and search the presidential residence could receive criminal punishment or face claims for damages in the event of human or material damage, according to the report.

In a separate letter to the presidential security service, the CIO warned of similar consequences for security personnel obstructing the investigators’ operation, in addition to possible loss of status as a public servant and restrictions on rehiring and pension receipts.

The CIO also said that security service employees will not face disadvantages for defying illegal orders to block the execution of the warrants, said the Yonhap, NAN reports.

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Yari expresses deep sorrow over mistaken airstrike in Zamfara community

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The Senator representing Zamfara west senatorial district, Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, has expressed deep sympathy for the victims of a recent airstrike in Tungar-Kara, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The airstrike, reportedly targetted at neutralizing fleeing bandits, mistakenly claimed several lives of innocent citizens in the village.

In a statement signed by Al’mansoor Gusau, Director-General Media to Senator Yari, the senator called for calm, while extending condolences to the families of the deceased and offering prayers for the quick recovery of the injured ones.

The senator prayed for Allah to accept the deceased as martyrs and grant them aljannah Firdausi.

He also commended the military for their ongoing efforts to address banditry, but urged for more cautious measures in future operations to prevent unintended casualties.

Senator Yari reiterated his hope for peace and prosperity in Zamfara State and across the country.

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Arewa youths accuse CBN of secret recruitment to replace 1000 sacked staff

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The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of secretly recruiting over 400 new staff to replace 1,000 employees who were reportedly forced to resign.

The group made the allegations in a statement issued in Kaduna by its Speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, who condemned the recruitment process as lacking transparency and violating due process.
Danlami alleged that the recruitment, purportedly orchestrated under the leadership of CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, was carried out without proper advertisement to allow qualified candidates to apply. He described the move as a “policy somersault,” questioning the rationale behind hiring new staff so soon after a downsizing exercise.

“We have intercepted credible reports alleging that the Central Bank of Nigeria under the leadership of Olayemi Cardoso has secretly recruited over 400 staff to replace the over 1,000 who were said to have voluntarily resigned,” Danlami said.
“How can a bank that recently shed its weight of excess staff surreptitiously employ 400 others to do what job?”

The youth leader also expressed concerns that the recruitment process may have excluded candidates from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, thereby violating the principle of federal character enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

Danlami urged the CBN to provide clarification on the allegations and ensure future recruitment processes are transparent and inclusive.

The apex bank is yet to comment on the allegation at the time of filing this report.

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