The Supreme Court has concluded proceedings and reserved judgment in the Federal Government’s suit against 36 state governors over the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.
The case, presided over by Justice Garba Lawal, saw a 7-man panel of the apex court consider arguments from both parties.
Following the adoption of processes by Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi on behalf of the Federal Government and responses from the governors’ representatives, Justice Lawal announced the reservation of judgment.
Parties involved will be notified once the judgment is ready.
During Thursday’s session, the AGF urged the court to grant all reliefs sought by the Federal Government, emphasizing the need for full autonomy for local governments as a critical component of Nigeria’s governance structure.
In contrast, the governors, represented by their respective state Attorneys General and Commissioners for Justice, opposed the federal government’s request. They argued against the suit, advocating for dismissal and maintaining the current governance framework.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), initiated the legal action on behalf of the Federal Government to secure local government autonomy and prevent arbitrary dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders by state governors.
The case underscores significant legal and constitutional issues surrounding governance and decentralization in Nigeria, highlighting ongoing efforts to define and uphold the autonomy of local governments in national discourse and legal precedents.