Court Halts Federal Interference with Kano Local Government Funds
A High Court in Kano State, presided over by Hon. Justice Ibrahim Musa Muhammad, has issued an interim order restraining federal authorities from interfering with the statutory monthly allocations for Kano’s 44 local government councils.
Background to the Ruling
The court’s decision followed a Motion Ex-Parte filed on November 1, 2024, by members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other concerned Kano residents. They sought to protect local government funds from potential interference by federal entities.
Order for Service of Court Documents
In an order dated November 4, 2024, Justice Muhammad granted the applicants permission to serve court documents on key federal agencies, including the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). This process will be facilitated by Red Star Express Plc, appointed as a special bailiff, due to the agencies being outside the jurisdiction of the Kano court.
Concerns Over Local Government Funding
Represented by Bashir Yusif Muhammad Esq. and Umar Bala Salisu Esq., the applicants voiced concerns that federal authorities might withhold or delay funds essential to local governance in Kano State. Justice Muhammad, in his ruling, authorized the applicants to serve originating processes on the federal agencies involved in the matter.
Details of the Interim Injunction
The court issued a restrictive order preventing the federal agencies, or any of their representatives, from taking actions that could disrupt the distribution of the monthly allocations to Kano’s local governments. Justice Muhammad explicitly prohibited “warehousing, tinkering with, excluding from disbursement, or refusing to disburse” the funds, ensuring that they remain accessible for the intended local government purposes until further hearings.
Next Steps
The case has been adjourned to November 21, 2024, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice, during which the court will consider the arguments for and against the continuation of the federal authorities' interference in Kano’s local government funding.
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