Loot LG funds, go to jail, AGF warns council bosses
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has warned local government chairmen across Nigeria against looting or mismanaging public funds, stressing that offenders will face jail time.
Speaking at the 2024 annual conference of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC) in Abuja, Fagbemi emphasised the importance of accountability and good governance. He stated that the autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court was aimed at enhancing grassroots development, not for personal enrichment.
“If any LG chairman loots the LG funds, then he should be ready to face the consequences, which include going to jail,” he declared.
Fagbemi also expressed concern about state governments undermining local government autonomy, warning that any deviation from the Supreme Court’s rulings would not be tolorated.
The AGF urged council chairmen to focus on their constitutional duties, ensuring access to primary education, quality healthcare for pregnant women and children, and welfare programmes for the vulnerable.
“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,” he stressed.
Fagbemi criticised local governments for incurring debts on projects outside their constitutional scope, such as building airports, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for prioritising good governance.
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He urged officials to embrace transparency, adding, “The era of impunity is over.”
In his keynote speech, constitutional lawyer Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) described the judiciary as the stabilising force of Nigeria, urging judges to resist corruption and avoid undue political influence.
“Judges should stop inviting politically exposed persons to their parties because it is not good for their image,” he cautioned.
Ozekhome also advised lawyers to argue cases on merit rather than resorting to petitions or corrupt practices, emphasising, “Without a giver, there can not be a taker.”
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, represented by NJI Secretary Olumoh Abdulazeez, acknowledged the media and judiciary as vital pillars of democracy. She cautioned journalists against sensationalism, noting its potential to distort facts and erode trust.
“The judiciary relies on accurate and ethical reportage to enhance public confidence in its work,” she said, while urging NAJUC to uphold professionalism among its members.
The conference concluded with NAJUC Chairman Kayode Lawal commending the AGF for championing local government autonomy, expressing optimism about the Supreme Court’s rulings ushering in grassroots development.
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