Author: Ameh Ochojila
The Supreme Court made a groundbreaking ruling declaring it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant for local government (LG) administrations. Justice Emmanuel Agim emphasized that denying financial autonomy to LGAs has been ongoing for over two decades. The court criticized the use of state joint accounts, stating that governors exploited this system for their benefit. The suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation sought full autonomy for all LGAs as the third tier of government. The Supreme Court’s decision mandates the Federation Account to directly allocate all funds to local governments to ensure their financial independence.…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a cybercrime case against Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch. Jalingo was arrested in August 2022 following a defamation petition by Elizabeth Ayade. He was remanded in prison in March 2023 for false publication charges but pleaded not guilty. The case, based on the Cybercrimes Act, was dismissed by Judge Joyce Abdulmalik. In a similar incident in 2019, Jalingo was arrested for alleging that Ayade diverted N500 million. He faced serious charges but was released after 174 days in detention. This recent dismissal showcases a victory for Jalingo’s freedom of speech and…
The Kogi State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Ajaka, has refuted claims that he is backing down from the legal battle to reclaim his stolen mandate in the November 11, 2023 election. In a statement, Ajaka clarified that there have been no discussions with Governor Usman Ododo or Yahaya Bello to concede defeat. Ajaka emphasized his unwavering commitment to fighting for the mandate given to him by the people of Kogi State. He stated that compromising with the current leadership would be a betrayal of the shared struggle and the memory of those who lost their…