The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled that the 774 local government areas (LGAs) must be granted full financial autonomy across the country.
A seven-member panel of Supreme Court Justices, led by Justice Garba Lawal, delivered the ruling on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
The apex court initially heard the case between the federal and state governments regarding local government autonomy on June 13 and reserved judgment. The case, marked SC/CV/343/2024, was filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), seeking full autonomy and direct funding for the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.
Fagbemi requested that the Supreme Court order the withholding of funds for LGAs managed by caretaker committees appointed by governors, rather than elected chairmen and councillors.
However, the 36 state governors, represented by their attorneys general, opposed the suit on various grounds, including the argument that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.
In its ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court mandated that full financial autonomy be granted to the LGAs, recognizing them as an independent tier of the federation.
