Supreme Court Sets 7-Day Window For Governors To Lodge Defence In LG Autonomy Lawsuit
In a landmark case of national significance, the Supreme Court has directed the governors of all 36 states to submit their defenses in response to a lawsuit filed by the federal government advocating for full autonomy for the 774 local governments.
The federal government, in case SC/CV/343/2024, is seeking to prevent governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils, a move that has sparked widespread debate across the country.
During a court session on Thursday, a seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Garba Lawal, ordered the governors, represented by the state attorneys-general, to file their responses within seven days. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, was directed to respond within two days of receiving the states' replies.
The Supreme Court stressed the urgency of the case by reducing the timeframe for filing and exchanging all processes to be completed by June 10, with the hearing scheduled for June 13.
Notably, eight states, including Borno, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Sokoto, were absent during Thursday's proceedings. Lawal directed that new hearing notices be served to these states, emphasizing the importance of their participation in this crucial legal battle.
The nation eagerly awaits the outcome of this significant legal battle that could potentially reshape the governance structure at the local government level.