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Autonomy: Court adjourns ALGON’s suit against federal, state govts
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.
They also sought a declaration that the 1st to 7th defendants cannot discuss, approve, disburse or in any other way whatsoever deal with the monies accruing to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria without the representation of the local government councils.
The group contended that while the Supreme Court’s judgment intends to liberate the local government administration, the AGF, Ministry of Finance, state’s Commissioners of Finance and CBN had taken “precipitate action to frustrate the implementation of the decision”.
ALGON, through its counsel, Okechukwu Uju-Azorji, alleged that the 9th to 23rd defendants, which are the commercial banks, are already taking steps “to be the conduit pipe or warehouse from which any money or allocation meant for the local government councils will be collected.”
The CBN, in its preliminary objection filed by Sam Ologunorisa, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
The apex bank contends that ALGON is not a legal entity recognised by the constitution or any statute and was not a party or beneficiary in the Supreme Court case upon which it now relies.
Similarly, counsel for FAAC, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, argued that ALGON lacked the legal standing to bring the case, thereby robbing the court of jurisdiction.
Also, the state commissioners of finance, through their lawyer, argued that members of FAAC, as stipulated by law, do not include representatives of the 774 LGAs, as being canvassed for.
They cited Section 6(1) of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc.) Act, 1982, which outlines the FAAC’s statutory membership—excluding local government representation.
In response, however, ALGON filed a counter-affidavit, asserting its legal status.
It argued that it was incorporated as an association on May 10, 2002, with the principal objective of promoting and defending the autonomy and interests of local governments in Nigeria. (NAN)
The Nigeria Police Force said it has completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, widely known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria.
Killaboi, who had been on the run for the murder of Augusta Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.
The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives, dated 29th September 2024.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja, after which investigations revealed that the suspect murdered Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, in his residence located at No. 24a Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023. After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.
Following his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension.
The statement said “He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity ‘KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Freetown.
“Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025. Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.
“Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja.
He extended appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.
The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed to the Federal Government to step up and deal with rising insecurity in the state as the death toll from the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo local government areas in the state has risen to 56.
The governor made the call on Saturday when he visited the scenes of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Ukum and Logo local government areas to ascertain the impact of the attacks.
Addressing journalists after the visit to the affected communities in the two local government areas, Alia condemned the violent attacks on the defenseless people and called for greater action from security agencies to nip these killings in the bud.
The governor used the visit to engage with community leaders and their people whom he assured of a better deal in addressing all forms of insecurity.
He also called for calm and urged the people to resist the will to resort to self-help
Security has also been beefed up in the Sankera axis where these attacks happened to restore confidence, while emergency services and relief items have been extended to the two local government areas.
In neighbouring Plateau State, also in the North Central geopolitical zone, over 100 people have been killed in the last two weeks when bloodthirsty marauders unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State.
Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.
The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.
The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.
According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.
Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.
But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.
“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.
“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”
Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.
“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.
“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”
He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.
“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.
“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.
“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”