LG Autonomy Impasse: Falana Queries AGF over Non-enforcement of Supreme Court Decision
Local Government Autonomy: Falana Accuses AGF of Inaction
Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer, has criticized the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, for the federal government's failure to implement a Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local councils.
In an interview with Daily Independent, Falana expressed his dissatisfaction over the delayed implementation, questioning why Fagbemi has not taken action to enforce the court's judgment. He urged concerned parties to hold the Attorney-General accountable, asserting that any state that disregards this ruling is essentially committing treason.
The Supreme Court's decision, issued last year, established local government as an independent tier of government with full control over its resources. However, despite the ruling's welcome reception by council area chairmen and the federal government, its implementation remains incomplete.
The delay in implementation is perceived as having various causes. One significant factor involves resistance from state governors, as the ruling potentially reduces their political influence over local government finances. Furthermore, developing a structured governance framework for local governments necessitates coordination among state and federal governments, which has been slow-paced.
Additionally, legal experts have highlighted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposing conditions described as "unnecessary and possibly illegal," which could be hindering the implementation of the Supreme Court's ruling. The appointment system for local government chairmen, instead of elections, can also dissuade these officials from pursuing truly autonomous governance that might undermine their political relationships with state governors.
Lastly, the Supreme Court's ruling's potential conflict with existing constitutional provisions, particularly concerning the use of joint accounts, adds to the ambiguity surrounding its full implementation.
In conclusion, the combined factors of political resistance, governance challenges, and legal ambiguities have obstructed the complete implementation of the Supreme Court's ruling on local government autonomy in Nigeria. The Attorney-General has been urged to address this issue and ensure compliance with the court's decision.
- Femi Falana, a Nigerian human rights lawyer, has called out the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, for not enforcing the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local councils in Nigeria.
- The All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other concerned parties have been urged to hold the AGF accountable, as the delayed implementation of the ruling is seen as treacherous by refusing to respect the court's judgment.
- Policy-and-legislation changes are required to accomplish local government autonomy in Nigeria, with the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) conditions and the appointment system for local government chairmen being significant obstacles.
- In the general news, the ongoing dispute over local government autonomy highlights the complexities of politics in Nigeria, as challenges in governance and legal ambiguities hinder the complete implementation of the Supreme Court's ruling.
