The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has issued a stern warning to the Local Government Chairmen across Nigeria against the mismanagement or embezzlement of public funds.
Fagbemi gave this warning while speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the 2024 Annual Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents.
Fagbemi emphasized that Local Government autonomy, as upheld by the Supreme Court, is intended to empower grassroots development, not to divert public funds for personal gain.
According to him, any misuse of public funds would attract severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.
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“If they choose to tamper with public funds and fail to deliver on their constitutional mandates, they risk going to jail. The trust placed in them must not be betrayed,” Fagbemi warned.
The AGF highlighted the critical role of Local Governments in promoting grassroots development.
He called on council chairmen to focus on their constitutional responsibilities, such as providing primary education, quality healthcare for pregnant women and infants, and implementing sustainable welfare programs for the vulnerable.
Fagbemi also condemned certain state governments for undermining local government autonomy through questionable legislation, despite the Supreme Court’s rulings mandating financial and administrative independence for local councils.
He stressed that local government expenditures must align with their constitutional functions.
“Projects like building airports, which are outside their scope, will not be tolerated,” he asserted.
The AGF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its efforts to strengthen governance at all levels and urged local government officials to embrace transparency.
He noted that the era of impunity was over.
Also, he called on the media to ensure accurate and responsible reporting of governance and judicial matters, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to uphold good governance.
Fagbemi added that, among the three tiers of government, the judiciary remains the least corrupt and most efficient.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also addressed the gathering, noting the importance of credible journalism in building public trust in the judiciary.
“Your work is integral to fostering a transparent and accountable judiciary, and your dedication to these ideals will contribute significantly to the advancement of justice in our society,” she said.
