Abuja, Nigeria
The attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has issued fresh cautions to local government chairmen across Nigeria against mismanaging or looting public funds.
The minister spoke at the 2024 annual conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents in Abuja.
Fagbemi stressed that the Supreme Court’s grant of autonomy to local governments was meant to empower grassroots governance, not to enable the embezzlement of public funds.
He highlighted that such actions would lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment, and called on the council chairmen to uphold accountability and fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
He said, “If they choose to tamper with public funds and fail to deliver on their constitutional mandates, they risk going to jail. The trust placed in them must not be betrayed.”
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized the critical role local governments play in fostering grassroots development. He urged local government chairmen and other officials to prioritize their constitutional responsibilities and work towards the welfare of their communities.
Fagbemi highlighted that local governments are essential in promoting development at the grassroots level, and it is their duty to ensure proper management of resources for the benefit of the people. He stressed that any deviation from this responsibility, such as mismanagement or corruption, would face severe legal repercussions.
He said, “Primary education must be accessible to every child, pregnant women and infants must receive quality healthcare, and the vulnerable in our society must benefit from sustainable welfare programmes.”
According to him, the actions of some state governments that have chosen to undermine local government autonomy will not be allowed.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, referenced the Supreme Court’s rulings that mandate financial and administrative independence for local governments. He criticized states that attempt to circumvent these rulings through questionable legislation, which undermines the autonomy granted to local governments.
Fagbemi reiterated that the Supreme Court’s decisions were meant to strengthen local governance and ensure that public funds are properly managed for the benefit of the grassroots. He emphasized that any efforts to bypass these rulings would not be tolerated and would be met with legal consequences.
“Any debt incurred by local governments must align with their constitutional functions. Projects like building airports, which are outside their scope, will not be tolerated,” he asserted.
The AGF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to strengthening governance structures at all levels. He urged local government officials to embrace transparency, warning that the era of impunity was over.
He also tasked the media to ensure accurate and responsible reportage of issues related to governance and judicial proceedings.
“Good governance is a collaborative effort, and every tier of government must be held accountable,” he said.
He added that of the three tiers of government in the country, the judiciary remains the best and least corrupt.
