In a landmark move, the Supreme Court has directed the governors of all 36 states to submit their defenses within seven days in response to a federal government lawsuit advocating for full autonomy for the country's 774 local government areas (LGAs). This directive represents a significant step in the ongoing battle over the decentralization of power in Nigeria, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and governance of LGAs.
This ruling was handed down by Justice Garba Lawal on Thursday, following a request for expedited proceedings by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. During the session, Justice Lawal, who presided over a seven-member panel, emphasized the national importance of the case. He noted the urgency and necessity for a swift resolution, highlighting that the states' attorneys-general had not opposed the federal government's application for an abridgement of time.
Justice Lawal's decision underscores the critical nature of the case, which seeks to resolve a longstanding issue in Nigeria's federal structure. Local governments, often seen as the closest tier of governance to the people, have long been hampered by a lack of autonomy, which critics argue impedes their ability to effectively deliver services and foster development at the grassroots level.
The court further instructed that the AGF must file his reply to the states' defenses within two days of receiving them. This accelerated timeline reflects the Supreme Court's recognition of the matter's urgency and the potential impact on governance and administrative efficiency across the nation. The justices underscored the necessity of completing the exchange of legal documents within the set timeframe and scheduled the case for a hearing on June 13.
Moreover, the Supreme Court ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued to eight states—Borno, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Sokoto—whose attorneys-general were absent from the proceedings despite prior notifications. These states must now ensure their legal representatives are present to participate in this critical legal process. The absence of these states' attorneys-general underscores the challenges of achieving full participation in such a significant national issue, further complicating the legal landscape.
The suit filed by the federal government argues for the need to grant full autonomy to local governments to enhance their administrative capabilities and accountability. Proponents of local government autonomy believe that empowering LGAs will lead to more responsive and efficient governance, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and improve public service delivery. Critics, however, argue that without adequate safeguards and capacity-building, such autonomy could lead to mismanagement and corruption at the local level.
As the June 13 hearing date approaches, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court as it deliberates on this pivotal issue. The outcome of this case could redefine the relationship between the federal, state, and local governments in Nigeria, potentially setting a new precedent for the distribution of power within the country's federal system.
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