LG Autonomy: ICPC Hails S’Court Decision, Decries Councils’ Funds Misuse

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, has raised the alarm over the widespread misuse of public funds under the guise of preparing for local government elections.

According to a statement from the ICPC last Wednesday, Dr Aliyu spoke at a one-day dialogue organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in Abuja.

He emphasised the urgent need to reform administrative processes and enhance capacity within the local government system to ensure transparency and accountability.

“In one such instance, substantial sums were illicitly moved, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability,” he revealed.

Dr Aliyu welcomed the recent Supreme Court judgement granting full autonomy to local governments, describing it as a significant step towards improving governance at the grassroots.

However, he warned that this progress must be matched with deliberate efforts by all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

In response to the ruling, the ICPC chair said the commission, in collaboration with the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, had launched the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPP-LG).

The ICPC boss said the initiative focuses on five thematic areas: fiscal transparency, human resource management, open procurement, citizen engagement, and corruption control.

He also cautioned against attempts to frustrate the Supreme Court’s verdict through diversionary or frivolous litigation, stating that such actions weaken Nigeria’s legal framework.

Citing AG Ondo State v AG of the Federation, he noted that despite a clear Supreme Court ruling affirming the ICPC’s powers to investigate corruption, lower courts continue to entertain suits that implicitly challenge that precedent.

“The ICPC is determined to enforce the Supreme Court decision using the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, alongside other relevant laws and regulations,” he said.

Dr Aliyu further stressed the constitutional obligation under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates all persons and authorities to enforce Supreme Court judgements. He urged legal practitioners to resist being used to undermine the ruling in AG Federation v AG Abia State and Others.

“The judiciary must stand firm. Judicial precedence is the bedrock of our legal system, and any attempt to reverse or circumvent it through baseless suits must be strongly resisted,” he said.