The Supreme Court is set to deliver a landmark judgment on July 11, 2024 that could change local government administration in Nigeria.
The Court will rule on the suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors seeking full autonomy for the 774 local governments.
According to a document sighted at the apex court by our Abuja Correspondent, parties in the suit have been notified through their respective lawyers.
The notice for the judgment delivery was served on the federal government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in Abuja.
The case, which was reserved for judgment on June 13, saw the federal government and the governors present their cases for adjudication.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, pleaded with the court to grant the local governments full autonomy, involving direct allocation of funds from the federation account.
The AGF also sought an order prohibiting unlawful dissolution of local government officials by state governors.
However, the governors opposed the request and asked the court to dismiss the suit.
The Supreme Court’s judgment will determine whether local governments will gain full autonomy and receive direct funding from the federation account. This could potentially reduce the powers of state governors over local government funds.
The Supreme Court’s seven-man panel, led by Justice Garba Mohammed Lawal, will deliver the judgment.
The court’s decision is final and binding, and it will be closely watched by stakeholders across the country.