The federal government has filed a lawsuit against thirty-six state governors at the Supreme Court, aiming to uphold the autonomy of the nation’s local governments.
The suit, marked SC/CV/343/2024, was filed on May 20 by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of the federal government.
The federal government is seeking an order from the Supreme Court to prohibit state governors from unilaterally, arbitrarily, and unlawfully dissolving democratically elected local government leaders.
Additionally, the federal government is requesting that funds allocated to local governments from the federation account be directly channeled to them, in accordance with constitutional provisions. This move challenges the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by the governors.
The lawsuit also demands an end to the practice of governors appointing caretaker committees to manage local government affairs, asserting the constitutionally guaranteed democratic system.
Furthermore, the federal government is seeking an injunction to prevent governors, their agents, and associates from receiving, spending, or tampering with funds designated for local governments from the Federation Account, particularly in the absence of a democratically elected local government system within the states.
More details will follow as the case progresses.
