The Federal Government has vowed to prosecute any officials found collaborating with state governors to divert funds allocated to Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made this clear during the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).
The AGF emphasized that the Federal Government’s decision aligns with a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to LGAs. He stated that the diversion of LGA funds is an impeachable offense, reflecting the government’s stance against corruption and financial mismanagement.
Fagbemi pointed out that some governors have manipulated local government elections to install loyalists, ensuring control over LGA funds. While the Federal Government cannot interfere in the election processes, he warned that officials who mismanage allocations would face prosecution.
The AGF revealed that the Federal Government took legal action against state governors to address the poor condition of many LGA secretariats nationwide. He also hinted at challenging the authority of state governments to conduct Area Council elections if such actions impede financial accountability.
He said: “The situation was also such that even when the secretariat needed to buy stationeries, you had to notify the governor in advance that you want to spend your money. And we have listened to such funny arguments before and after the judgment, to the effect that, oh, they are not matured enough. I said, how better are you? Are you any better? Leave them.
“And we have been drawing these into the ears of the local government officials that look, the governors have immunity, but you don’t have.
“So, it is very easy for you to get yourself to Kuje or other prisons spread across Nigeria.
“Before I go further, let me say that even before the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, there were so many pressures coming from left, right and center. But I give kudos to President Bola Tinubu, who despite the pressure, was able to stand up and say that he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that the 774 local governments are also people to be protected and he did so.”
