The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has said that Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of local governments takes immediate effect.
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.
However, 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.
“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.”
