The allegation of receiving threats from some governors unhappy about the recent financial autonomy the Supreme Court awarded local governments has been publicly made by the federal government.
Recall that state governments lost their bid to continue to receive monthly allocations on behalf of councils from the federal government at the apex court.
Speaking at Thursday’s valedictory session for soon-to-be former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariowoola, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) disclosed that some governors aggrieved at the decision of the Supreme Court are threatening to pay those behind the judgment that’s unfavourable to them in their own coins.
Beyond that, the AGF said the governor’s action is tantamount to contempt of court and urged State Attorneys-General to educate them.
Fagbemi’s own words, “We are not unaware of the threats and noises of reprisal by some (not all) of the principals affected by that epic and locus classicus judgment of the Supreme Court, who are threatening fire and brimstone in a matter that has been settled and laid to rest finally by our apex court.
“The point must be made that their action in this regard amounts to hovering round the precinct of contempt of court.
“I urge the Attorneys-General of the affected states to educate and offer sound legal advice, though very trite and too elementary, to their principals that there can be no appeal against the decision of the Supreme Court.
“They should therefore abide by the principles and doctrines of the rule of law which is the bedrock of constitutional democracy. We have no doubt or illusion that our country shall now witness a new dawn and era of purposeful governance across all our 774 local governments.
“We urge and appeal to all citizens, professional bodies and associations, to be alert and watchful of how the local governments are utilising their allocations for growth and development.
“Our law enforcement agencies too must also monitor all governments and bring the full weight of the law to bear on any erring government, ministries, departments and or agencies in confirmed cases of misappropriation and or embezzlement, particularly for those who don’t have immunities under the Constitution like our democratically elected local government executives, officers and personnel.”
