Court Declares LGs Autonomous, Orders Direct Access to UBEC Funds

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that local governments (LGs) are entitled to direct access to funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) without interference from State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).

Delivering judgment on October 13, Justice Emeka Nwite declared that Sections 11(2) and 11(3) of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, 2004 are inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and are therefore “null, void and of no effect.”

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1536/2020, was filed by Sesugh Akume against UBEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

In his ruling, Justice Nwite affirmed that the local government system is the third and autonomous tier of government recognised by the Constitution and not an appendage of state governments.

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“The local government system is the third and autonomous tier of government designated by the Constitution and administered by laws enacted by the House of Assembly, in accordance with the Constitution,” the judge held.

The court further ruled that the National Assembly lacks the power to enact laws placing Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) under the supervision or control of state governments.

Justice Nwite noted that although states may legislate on local government administration, such laws must strictly conform with constitutional provisions.

He held that provisions of the UBE Act requiring local governments to access counterpart funding through state governments violate Sections 7(1) and (5), Section 318, and Item 2(a) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

“The combined effect of Sections 11(2) and (3) of the UBE Act, 2004, is inconsistent with the true construction and meaning of Section 7(1) and (5) and the Fourth Schedule Item 2(a) of the Constitution,” the judge ruled.

The court consequently declared that local governments, acting through their LGEAs, are entitled to pay their counterpart funds and access UBEC funds directly, without going through SUBEBs.

Justice Nwite also directed UBEC to formally communicate the judgment to all 36 SUBEBs and the 774 LGEAs nationwide within the stipulated period.

Court Declares LGs Autonomous, Orders Direct Access to UBEC Funds

Court Orders Accelerated Hearing of Suit Challenging 2025 Tax Acts, Declines Injunction

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday ordered an accelerated hearing of a suit challenging the 2025 tax acts, but declined to grant an interim injunction restraining their implementation.

The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other key government officials, citing alleged discrepancies in the newly enacted tax laws and their proposed implementation date of January 1, 2026.

The respondents in the suit include the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly.

In a motion ex parte, the plaintiff sought an interim injunction to restrain the Federal Government from implementing the tax laws pending the determination of the substantive suit. The applicant also requested an abridgment of time for the defendants to file their responses, approval for substituted service, and an order for accelerated hearing.

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Ruling on the application, Justice Bello Kawu, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the request for accelerated hearing and approved substituted service on the defendants.

The court ordered that the first and second defendants be served through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, while the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants are to be served via the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

However, the court declined to grant the interim injunction sought by the plaintiff, refusing to restrain the Federal Government and its agencies from proceeding with the implementation of the 2025 tax laws at this stage.

Justice Kawu directed that all defendants be put on notice and adjourned the matter to Wednesday, December 31, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Court Orders Accelerated Hearing of Suit Challenging 2025 Tax Acts, Declines Injunction

Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

The Ondo State security outfit, Amotekun, has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who reportedly fled Sokoto State following the Christmas Day airstrikes conducted by the United States military in Nigeria’s North-West.

Speaking during the parade of 100 suspects across the state, Amotekun Commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye said the 39 suspects claimed to have relocated to the forests of Ondo State after fleeing the northern part of the country.

“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested, all claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they relocated into the forest,” Adeleye said. “We are still profiling them, and after profiling, those found with incriminating equipment and materials will be prosecuted.”

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The commander emphasized that anyone residing in Ondo State forest areas must obtain official permits, warning that the sudden influx of such elements raises serious security concerns.

Adeleye further revealed that synergy with neighboring state security outfits, including Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun, has led to significant arrests. Some suspects are still under investigation and were not paraded.

Regarding other suspects, Adeleye disclosed that of the 100 arrested, 61 were paraded:

• 50 for general law and order violations
• 2 for anti-open grazing offences
• 6 for kidnapping-related cases
• 3 for gender-based abuse and rape

The suspects ranged in age from 18 to 45 years. On the rape cases, Adeleye identified three suspects: 19-year-old Daniel Ojo, 33-year-old Usman, and 41-year-old Bejide, arrested in the Isinkan area of Akure, the state capital.

He commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for security operations and thanked all state security agencies, including the police, civil defense, army, DSS, and local vigilantes, as well as the public, for their support.

Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes