The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) against the Federal and State Governments until May 29.
The fresh suit, which was scheduled for mention before Justice Inyang Ekwo, could not proceed because the court did not sit.The matter was, however, fixed for May 29 for mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/353/2025 is the Registered Trustees of ALGON. The Supreme Court had, in a judgment on July 11, 2024, granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country.
However, ALGON filed the suit following the alleged failure by the state governments to comply with the decision of the apex court. The association sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and 23 others.
Others include the minister of finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the state’s commissioners for finance, minister of budget and National Planning, and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
It also joined the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited; various commercial banks; and one Bello Lawal as defendants in the suit.
ALGON, in the case, demands that the 774 local councils be granted representation at Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings where allocations are discussed.
The trustees prayed the court to declare that “given the Supreme Court decision on July 11, 2024, the 1st to 8th defendants cannot disburse monies to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria through the 9th to 23rd defendants without the plaintiff authorising or approving such.