The Supreme Court has declared that state governors' control over funds meant for the 774 local government areas is unconstitutional. The apex court has therefore ordered all state governors to henceforth steer clear of these funds.

The judgment, delivered by a 7-man panel led by Justice Garba Mohammed Lawal, is a significant victory for the federal government, which had argued that the constitution grants it the sole authority to manage local government funds.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, presented the federal government's case, while the 36 state governors were represented by their lawyers. The ruling is a culmination of a long-standing legal battle between the federal government and state governors over the control of local government funds.

The Supreme Court's decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for the administration of local governments in Nigeria, ensuring that funds meant for grassroots development are no longer tampered with by state governors. This ruling is a significant step towards strengthening local governance and ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.