News

BREAKING: Supreme Court Dismisses Osun State’s Case on Withheld Local Government Funds

Published by admin on December 5th, 2025.

BREAKING: Supreme Court Dismisses Osun State’s Case on Withheld Local Government Funds

Screenshot

• Condemns Federal Government’s Failure to Ensure Direct Funding for LGAs

The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit filed by the Osun State Government—through the Attorney General—seeking to compel the Federal Government to release allocations meant for Local Government Areas in the state.

Delivering the lead judgment on Friday, Justice Mohammed Idris, supported by five other justices in a six-to-one majority decision, ruled that the Osun State Attorney General lacked the legal standing to initiate the case. The court held that Local Governments are independent legal entities with the power to sue and defend themselves, and as such, the state AG could not prosecute the matter on their behalf.

Justice Idris also stated that the plaintiff failed to show any valid cause of action that would allow the Supreme Court to assume original jurisdiction under Section 232(1) of the Constitution. He explained that the issue raised in the suit centered on the alleged non-release of funds due to Osun LGAs from the Federation Account—a matter that does not constitute a direct dispute between the Osun State Government and the Federal Government.

The apex court further criticized the Federal Government for not enforcing the constitutional requirement of direct allocation to Local Governments, describing it as a failure that undermines grassroots governance.