Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has declared that state governors are manipulating Local Government Area (LGA), funds commit gross misconduct, warranting impeachment.
Speaking at the 2024 annual conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), in Abuja, Fagbemi emphasized the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 ruling granting LGAs financial autonomy.
He cautioned LGA chairmen against financial mismanagement and stressed their constitutional duty to prioritize grassroots development, particularly in education and healthcare.
Fagbemi warned that LGA officials misusing funds face imprisonment as they lack immunity enjoyed by governors.
He also stated that LGA finances must not cover state-level debts.
Praising President Tinubu’s governance reforms, he urged transparency and accountability at all levels.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, represented by Abdullaziz Olumo, highlighted the judiciary’s role in justice and the media’s duty to uphold accountability. She criticized sensationalist reporting and warned against media interference in legal proceedings.
In his keynote, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, called for judicial integrity and fairness in rulings while urging lawyers to avoid unethical practices.
NAJUC Chairman Kayode Lawal lauded the Supreme Court’s autonomy ruling but expressed concerns about declining public trust in the judiciary.
