Main Points
- Attorney General Fagbemi says local leaders who misuse money for their areas will face jail.
- Supreme Court says local areas should get their money directly, not through states.
- Fagbemi warns local leaders to use money wisely or face going to jail.
The Attorney General of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi, says he will make sure local leaders who misuse public money go to jail. This happened at a big human rights event in Abuja.
He said this after making a big win in court to let local areas have their own funds.
Why Go to Supreme Court
Fagbemi explained that for more than 20 years, many local areas have not been able to function well. Past leaders tried to fix this, but nothing worked.
The current government decided to go to the Supreme Court to make sure local areas get their own money and control over their affairs.
He said that local areas getting their own money will make things better and safer for people living there.
This move was necessary because changing the Constitution in the National Assembly takes too long.
Fagbemi said,
“Money for local areas wasn’t reaching them. If we tried to change the Constitution, it would take too long and people would stop it. We needed to go straight to the court and make it clear that this money should go directly to local areas.”
“If local areas got direct money, it would be easier to manage the funds properly.”
“In many local areas, things are very bad. They can’t wait any longer.”
Warning to Local Leaders
Fagbemi also warned that local leaders might misuse funds even if they get it directly.
While state governors have immunity, local leaders do not.
If local leaders misuse funds, they could go to jail. Using the funds wisely will help improve local areas and make them safer.
“If local leaders misuse money, they will go to jail. But if they use it well, they can make their areas better.”
“Good use of funds at the local level will also help reduce insecurity because people will have jobs and better living conditions.”
Background
In a case marked SC/CV/343/2024, Fagbemi argued that state governors were not letting local leaders operate democratically.
He said that for years, governors have misused the role given to them. This led to local areas not getting their fair share of funds.
Local areas have been asking for financial independence for a long time.
The Supreme Court decided that local areas should get their money directly.
Currently, the Federal Government gets 52.68% of FAAC money, states get 26.72%, and local governments get 20.6%.
After the court’s decision, there were various reactions from state governors.