High Court Rules Against Federal Government’s Interference
A Kano State High Court has ruled that the federal government must not tamper with the funds allocated to the 44 local governments in the state. The verdict, delivered on Monday by Justice Musa Ibrahim Karaye, came after reviewing evidence presented by local government representatives.
Opposition’s Attempt to Halt Fund Disbursement
The case originated from a lawsuit filed by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which sought a court order to halt the disbursement of local government funds. The party alleged irregularities in the October 2024 local government elections, conducted by the Kano State Electoral Commission.
In response, the court had earlier issued an interim order, directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and all commercial banks to freeze the funds until the matter was resolved.
Victory for Local Governments
Following the ruling, Barrister Bashir Yusuf Tudun Wuzirchi, the legal representative for the 44 local governments, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“We filed this case to protect Kano State from forces attempting to obstruct development by targeting local governments.
Today, by God’s grace, the court ruled in our favor, granting all our requests. It also directed the federal government to refrain from tampering with these funds, which constitutionally belong to the local governments,” he said.
Will the Opposition Appeal?
Efforts to obtain a response from the APC’s legal representatives were unsuccessful, leaving uncertainty over whether the opposition party will appeal the decision.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and APC remain locked in a fierce political battle for dominance in Kano State. This ruling adds another layer to the ongoing political rivalry.