AGF: S’court verdict takes immediate effect — LGAs freed from shackles of the past

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, says Thursday’s supreme court ruling has “emancipated” LGAs from the “shackles of the past”.

On Thursday, the apex court ruled that the federal government should henceforth pay LG allocations directly to local government councils.

The seven-member supreme court panel held that state governors have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

The apex court ordered the federal government to withhold allocations of LGs governed by unelected officials.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Fagbemi said the judgment of the supreme court will take “immediate effect”.

The AGF said the “ball is now in the court” of state governors to conduct LGA elections, adding that the judgment stipulates punishment for refusal.

“Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy. Nigerians are happy about it,” he said.

“I call it local government emancipation judgment because it has really emancipated the local government from the shackles of the past.

“I hope that local government officials will look at it as an opportunity to develop their various local governments.

“The judgment is clear as to what they should do, the judgment is clear as to what consequences will attach to failure or refusal to follow the judgment of the supreme court… which takes immediate effect.”