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AGF threatens jail term for Local Government chairmen tampering with FAAC allocations

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Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), vows to prosecute local government chairmen and councillors who tamper with FAAC allocations meant for their jurisdictions.
Fagbemi emphasizes the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on local government autonomy, aiming to ensure funds allocated to local governments are directly received and utilized by them, not state governments.
He highlights the absence of immunity for local government officials and warns of jail term for those found misappropriating funds, urging them to prioritize local development and governance.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has vowed to ensure the conviction and imprisonment of any serving local government chairmen or councillors tampering with the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to the LGs.

He disclosed this on Thursday at the 17th-anniversary annual lecture event of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) in Abuja.

His latest reaction comes a few days after he instituted an LG autonomy suit at the Supreme Court and defeated the state governors’ legal team who unanimously opposed it at the apex court.

Why FG Opted for Supreme Court Instead of NASS

Fagbemi narrated to the audience that for over two decades, governance in most of the 774 local governments, the third tier and closest level of government to the grassroots, has been almost crippled, and all efforts by previous administrations to solve this problem had been frustrated.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, being conscious of the linkage of governance with security and human rights, took the bold decision to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the issue of LG autonomy

He stated that the singular judgment of the apex court would not only improve governance at the local government level but would also significantly enhance security and access to human rights.

He explained that prior to the Supreme Court judgment, it was expected that authorities at the state level would allow the local government to function as described by the 1999 Constitution, but that failed to happen.

He said the option of going to the Supreme Court was due to the roadblocks associated with the Constitution amendment in the National Assembly.

He said,

“The money meant for the local government was not given to the local government, and if we had gone via amendment of the Constitution, whoever that Speaker was, who attempted to allow an amendment of the Constitution to give serious autonomy to the local government if he survived that term, he is not coming back. That one is sure.

“We now thought, this money is still coming from the federation, and in a way, the money is meant for the local government; the federation now says, states be our agents, hold this money for onward transmission to the local government.

“There are two issues: the states were the agents of the federation; when the money got to the states, they became trustees of the local government so either way, they are to do their utmost to ensure that the funds were not tampered with.

“But what do we have? If you go to some local government today, some have grown with weeds.

“At that stage, we felt it is no longer possible to persuade the states to follow the Constitution except there is an order.”

Jail threat for serving LG Chairmen

Fagbemi continued that while credit must be given to the Supreme Court for providing a resounding judgment in favour of local government funds immediately going directly to the local government, there are still some issues.

He observed that local government chairmen may want to divert the funds amid state pressure.

But he explained that whereas state governors enjoy immunity in office, LG chairmen do not.

He then seized the moment to issue jail threats to serving LG chairmen who divert local government funds.

He said,

“Well, we have a situation on our hands, I know that it is still there; the conduct of elections is to be undertaken by the states.

“But the distinction is this: don’t forget, the governors have immunity, the local government council chairmen or councillors, they have no immunity, so they have to choose between dealing with the funds of the local government as they like and risking going to jail. The choice is theirs (LG chairmen).

“If they want to tamper with these funds and end up in jail, it is their choice. Or if they want to write their names in letters of gold, activities like construction or upgrading of roads must return to the local government. They don’t all have to come to Abuja.

“If they stay at the local government, we will be able to reduce the level of insecurity that we have in Nigeria today. What obtains offshore is that the security agents are able to perform optimally because of information that comes to them from members of the public and usually it is from the grassroots.”

He highlighted that good governance at the local level would lead to improved security by addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social injustice.

Backstory
In the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, Fagbemi (SAN) argued that in the face of the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution, governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system, even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.

Fagbemi submitted that all efforts to make governors comply with the dictates of the 1999 Constitution in putting in place democratically elected local government systems have not yielded any results.

He added that the states have been “exploiting” the role given to them to transfer LGA allocations to the respective councils “for decades.”

The states and LGAs have been operating a joint account over the years, but the AGF said that payments to the LGAs should be made directly to their separate accounts.

There has been an outcry from the LGAs regarding financial autonomy.

The suit was a constitutional matter and sought interpretation from the apex court.

In the current FAAC allocation system, the Federal Government gets 52.68%; states receive 26.72%, and local governments are given 20.6%.

After the apex Court decision, Nigerian governors gave various interpretations of the verdict.

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Politics

Easter feast: Ekere fetes Party leaders, constituents in grandstyle

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Alex Ibeh
It was a memorable day as Arch Emeka Ekere of the All Progressives Congress APC, celebrated the Easter season with his People in Kata ward, Ihitte Uboma local Government Area of Imo State .
Hon. Ekere who represents Kata ward in the 7th House of Ihitte Uboma Legislative Council Hosted Party Leaders From Across Political lines to an unforgettable Meet And Greet in Commemoration of the season.
The atmosphere was charged as they laughed, dined and exchanged pleasantries.

The presence of “who is who” in the constituency which included the Political heavyweights, Traditional Rulers, Youth, and Women leaders was a testament to the love, respect the people have for him.
It was learnt that the presence of personalities from the Constituency sterned from his impactful representation and the vibrancy in council.

In his address, Hon. Ekere thanked leaders and Constituents for honouring the invitation. He spoke of progress and the cultural ties that bind the council Constituency together.
He further highlighted some real wins and the progress he has made so far, and new projects government designed to uplift every corner of the constituency, starting with school rehabilitation and construction, health centers and boreholes will be commissioned in a short time.

As the event wrapped up, guests left with smiles, stories, and pride in their hearts. For many, it wasn’t just a Meet and Greet party, It was proof of what good leadership looks like, one that is present, passionate, and rooted in the people.

Arch Emeka Ekere didn’t just host Easter, he made a Cash Gifts in line with the teachings of the Risen Christ who happens to be the reason for the season.
“As we know Easter period remains a period of coming together inorder to rejoice over the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ”, he recounted

In responding to Hon Ekere, the Apex leader Of Ihitte Uboma from Okata Autonomous Community, Hon Mike Uchendu disclosed that the breakfast meeting was very timely and productive as many issues have been understood by the ward party leadership in regard to his office as the councilor representing Okata Autonomous Community.

Comrade Simon Ebegbulem who is a former Commissioner For Trade And Investment Imo State, informed that the leaders in Okata had worked so hard in defending the party, APC even noboby was proud to answer an APC member.
He urged him to treat the leaders of the party with due regard, adding that they stood by the party even when the insecurity was high in the State.

In his remarks, the Ward Chairman of the Party, Hon Emmanuel thanked the Councilor and also reassured him that the party is still stronger, and will continue to deliver candidates to victory come 2027 general elections.

Present at the occasion included Hon Engr Mike Uchendu, Hon Comr Simon Ebegbulem
Hon Innocent Chibundu, LGA Party Chairman,
Hon Valentine Egeonu,LGA Deputy Party Chair,
Hon Kennedy, PG Okata,Mr Chidiebere Ekere, Party Secretary Okata, Mr Ugochukwu Anyanwu,Youths and lots of other party faithful

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When A Leader Justifies The Name He Answers . The Rt Hon Attorney Mathew Nwogu example. Indeed Eziaha Ka Ego .

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By ECHEREOZO AUSTIN
“Eziaha. Ka Ego’ in Igbo parlance literarily means that good name is much better and honoured than the money and riches of this world.Every one in this contemporary nigerian society knows that it is not easy to resist the urge for money as against other factors that constitutes to human existence .The Love for money and material things has robbed a lot of Nigerian eminent personalities of their dignity and reputation they have built over the years ,Moreover.they don’t care even though their name and personality is at stake since they believe that money answereth all things

The quest for stupendous wealth among the political class has always led to mistrust ,underrepresentation and suspicion between leaders and their subjects .Most politicians especially of Igbo extraction if voted in to office either as local government chairman,house of assembly member,federal house of representatives or senate usually sees it as a big oppotunity that comes ones in a life’s time to acquire wealth for themselves and their generation yet unborn.many of them will simply tell you that they need to recoup the money they spent during electioneering campaign .Some go as far as diverting parliatives and other political dividends that should have been used to better the life of their impoverished followers .They rather share it to their relatives and families of their political associates and chronies ,Even those that assited them in one way or the other to achieve the mandate are being sidelined and not to be remembered again.A situation that amounts to throwing a child away with a bathe water.

If you move around the five states that gave birth to Igbo nation that comprises of Imo, Abia ,Enugu,Anambra and Ebonyi.It is very common to hear names and titles like “Omereoha’,”Onwanetirioha’,”Omenkeahuruanya’,,””Mmiri nezoro oha’ and all that,these politicians wears this titles like medals and robes.They answer this names to deceive the poor electorates and pretends as if they have the interest of the people at heart.But in contrary the opposite is mearnt,A good number of this make believe politicians do not live up to expectation so as to justify the title bestowed on them,What a shame,they forgot that there is a deep spiritual connection between a man and the name he answers.Even a nickname has a spiritual bond with the person that bears it,

However. In all this melee.There is only one man among many who simply believes that a man should live his life according to the dictate of his name and title,He is no other person but the man representing the good people of Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala at the federal house of representative ,Rt Hon Attorney Dr Mathew Nwogu.Rt Hon Nwogu is Eziaha Ka Ego’ personafied ,He has demonstrated the character of a person who puts the interest of his people first above monetary and material gains,He is one man that refused to be bought over with money but rather chooses to consolidate with the party that gave him mandate to serve his constituents.He remained steadfast with labour party when other of his colleagues are busy hibernating from one party to another.

His numerous achievements so far in Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala clearly shows that he has given to the people what is due to them”Rt Hon Nwogu azutala ihe aturu ya na ahia’.There to no electoral ward from the two local governments that has not benefitted from his political dividend .His human oriented projects are too numerous to mention,His rural road revolution across communities in Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala is second to none.Rt Hon Nwogu has declared state of emergency to a good number of primary and post primary institutions in Aboh and Ngor okpala and total renovation is ongoing in some of this schools including health centers .The completion of three class room blocks at umuhu Enyiogugu ready for commissioning and the renovation going on at logara high school is a case study ,Coutesy of our man of the moment, What about empowerment programs .A large number of women mostly widows and youths has benefitted from his empowerment scheme,He has from time to time donated millions of bags of grains including rice,beans,indomie, spaghetti and other condiments to his federal constituency so as to cushion the effect of the global food shortage ,and this items are shared to every body present devoid of segregation.He has ensured the electrification of some communities that has been in darkness for many years now .Some communities in the two local government are now enjoying solar street light courtesy of our man of the moment.Job and scholarship opportunities has been procured to teeming graduates and students of Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala extraction .Rt Hon Attorney Nwogu has almost completed all the constituency projects under his watch including those he inherited from his predecessors .umuaga ngwuru hall is a case study.

Above all ,He has moved a lot of intervention motions that has benefitted his federal constituency.He did not waste time to intervene on the issue of over billing by EEDC as was petitioned by Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala respectively ,He has moved a motion against incessant kllling ,Abductions and kidnapping of innocent citizens along imo cargo airport owerri Aba road and those motion was immediately seconded by colleagues because of its urgent public importance.plans are on top gear to beef up security around the area.He has also moved a motion for the need to compensate landlords of imo airport host communities .What about the farmers.Farmers numbering upto five hundred from Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala has benefited immensely from Hon Nwogus largesse .Bags of fertilizers were shared freely to all the farmers in the area and this was done to increase food production in the two local government and neighbouring commnities.What more do we expect from a man with such capacity other than to give him full support .You can see that Rt Hon Nwogu has achieved a lot within a short period of time.And his achievements so far is just a tip of an iceberg.Indeed his achievements in just a year and few months has surpassed those that has represented Aboh Mbaise and Ngor okpala for eight and twelve years respectively.His second term bid is not negotiable and a done deal.Ride on our great leader.

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Erosion Menace: Commissioner for Environment, Emenike assures Urualla People of Government’s Attention

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Alex Ibeh

The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Barr Major Ejikeme Emenike has assured the people of Urualla Town in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State that the Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma would pay adequate attention to the Erosion Menace in their area.
The Commissioner who stated this recently when a delegation of the town led by the President General of Urualla Clan Assembly, Chief A. C. Nwosu visited him as they called the attention of the State Government to their plight.

The Community and its environs have been engulfed by gullies and floodwaters over the years which has caused unfriendly environment appealed to the relevant authorities to save the people from extinction.

Emenike however, pointed out that the State Government was not relenting in its effort to mitigate the danger, adding that adequate measures had been deployed to address the situation.

The people of Urualla autonomous who cried out to the State Government over erosion menace, made the appeal in a Save Our Souls (SOS) visit to the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Ejikeme Emenike, in his office.
The community, led by the President General of the community, Chief A.C. Nwosu, expressed worry that they are being faced with existential threat posed by the erosion encroachment.

He appealed to relevant authorities to save the people from what he termed a looming environmental disaster.
He narrated that the erosion problem has been there for a long time and keeps getting worse on a daily basis especially, in the rainy season.
Nwosu further narrated that last year, one family lost three children owing to the devastating nature of the environment.

“As the President General of the community, my people have cried so much.
“I thought it wise that since our Governor is a listening leader and he has done well in the area of Infrastructural development like road and others, we decided to seek his intervention,” he said.

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