Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government has vowed to prosecute elected officials colluding with governors to divert funds meant for Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs).
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made this announcement on Thursday during the Abuja Chapter’s Annual General Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).
Fagbemi said the move aligns with a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to LGAs.
He also described the diversion of LGA funds by governors as an impeachable offence.
He stated, “Governors have immunity, but local government officials do not. It is very easy for you to get yourself to Kuje or other prisons across Nigeria.”
The AGF expressed concerns over governors influencing LGA elections and said the government would not hesitate to take legal action against officials mismanaging funds.
“We will confront any attempt to sabotage local government autonomy head-on,” he added.
Fagbemi commended President Bola Tinubu for resisting pressure to block the Supreme Court judgment and stressed the need for accountability.
He called on LGA leaders to prioritise infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and welfare programmes.
“Life must come back to local government. They don’t all have to come to Abuja,” he said.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, represented by the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute, Abdullaziz Olumo, emphasised the judiciary’s complementary role with the media in fostering societal development.
She urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and respect constitutional rights in their reporting.
Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, delivering the keynote address, stressed the judiciary’s role in ensuring justice is served without succumbing to technicalities.
He also called for judges to form an association to counter baseless corruption allegations and cautioned against allowing political figures to influence their independence.
Dignitaries at the event included the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Justice.