Account For And Return LG Funds Or Face Legal Action — SERAP Tells Govs, FCT Minister

The Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to account for and return the funds meant for local councils or face legal action.

The warning is coming after the Supreme Court barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.

Recall that the apex court on Thursday, ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.

It maintained that the “dubious practice”, which has gone on for over two decades, was a clear violation of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that no House of Assembly of any state has the power to make laws that could, in any manner, interfere with monies meant for the LGAs.

“Demands of justice require a progressive interpretation of the law. It is the position of this court that the federation can pay LGA allocations to the LGAs directly or pay them through the states.

“In this case, since paying them through states has not worked, justice of this case demands that LGA allocations from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to the LGAs,” the apex court held.

Reacting to the judgement, SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who described the judgement as epochal, said Nigeria’s 36 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must account for and return funds meant for Local Councils or face legal action.