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Court Declares LGs Autonomous, Orders Direct Access to UBEC Funds

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2025

Federal High Court in Abuja

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

Related Topics:Autonomous Featured LGs UBEC Funds

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ICPC Secures Court Order to Freeze N1.1bn Diverted from Kano Federation Account

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

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Two Catholic Priests Stabbed in Nasarawa Parish Attack Near Abuja

Published

2 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed

Two Catholic Priests Stabbed in Nasarawa Parish Attack Near Abuja

ABUJA – Two Catholic priests were brutally attacked by bandits at the Parish House of St. Rita Catholic Church, Unity Estate, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), raising fresh alarms over worsening security challenges in the region.

The assailants reportedly stormed the parish residence around 2:30 a.m., stabbing the priests and leaving them in pools of blood. The Parish Priest narrowly escaped unharmed.

The victims were identified as Rev. Fr. Comas Baye, the priest in residence and a Cadet of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and Rev. Fr. Chris Pever, a visiting priest and former Assistant Priest of the parish. Fr. Baye is reported to be battling a partial stroke.

Both priests were rushed to Nativity Catholic Hospital, Jikwoyi, Abuja, for urgent medical attention. Fr. Pever sustained severe injuries, including a fracture of his left arm, and successfully underwent surgical implant surgery. Both are now stable and responding to treatment.

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Knights of St. John React

The Abuja Grand Commandery of the Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) condemned the attack, describing it as a “heinous, barbaric, and reprehensible assault” on innocent clergy and a disturbing sign of growing insecurity around Abuja and neighbouring states.

In a statement signed by Brig. Gen. Francis Ulonna Njoku (Grand President) and Col. Etta Peters (Grand Secretary), the KSJI said the attack was part of a troubling pattern targeting places of worship and religious leaders.

The Knights urged relevant security agencies to investigate the attack, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure swift justice, while calling on all levels of government to strengthen security around religious institutions and communities.

The statement also expressed solidarity with the Catholic Diocese of Lafia, the clergy, and the faithful of St. Rita Catholic Church, offering prayers for healing, protection, and lasting peace.

Two Catholic Priests Stabbed in Nasarawa Parish Attack Near Abuja

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ICPC Secures Court Order to Freeze N1.1bn Diverted from Kano Federation Account

Published

7 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

ICPC Secures Court Order to Freeze N1.1bn Diverted from Kano Federation Account

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the interim forfeiture of N1.1 billion allegedly withdrawn illegally from the Kano State Federation Account and held with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

The order, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex-parte application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), represented by Oluwafunke Bada. The judge held that the motion was meritorious and granted the interim forfeiture, directing its publication in a national daily to allow any interested party to appear before the court to contest the forfeiture.

The case, FHC/ABJ/CS/2634/2025, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and the recovered N1,109,230,000 in the ICPC Recovery Account. The suit, filed on December 8, 2025, arises from Petition ICPC/P/NC/564/2024, which alleged that N2.3 billion was withdrawn in cash from the Kano State Federation Account for purposes unrelated to government business.

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Investigation by the ICPC revealed that on November 9, 2023, the Accountant-General of Kano State, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, authorised payments totaling N1.17 billion to two Bureau de Change companies, Namu Na Kune Global Resources Ltd and Kazo Nazo Global Concept, purportedly for the supply of diesel. However, the managing directors of two oil companies involved—A.Y. Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd—stated that the contracts were fictitious and no supplies were delivered.

Further inquiries showed that the funds were converted into $1 million and allegedly handed over to Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director of Protocol of the Kano State Government House, through an intermediary. The ICPC successfully recovered N1,109,230,000 from the companies in two instalments in February and March 2025.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until January 21, 2026, for a report of compliance, while the forfeiture order serves to preserve the recovered funds and allow interested parties to come forward.

ICPC Secures Court Order to Freeze N1.1bn Diverted from Kano Federation Account

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

Published

4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

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.