metro

Court Declares LGs Autonomous, Orders Direct Access to UBEC Funds

Published

4 weeks 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.

READ ALSO:

“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

Up Next

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

Don't Miss

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

metro

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

Published

56 minutes ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a newly‑wedded woman suspected of poisoning her husband to death in Gauza village, Jahun Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on January 23, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the community.

Police reported that the deceased fell seriously ill after eating a meal prepared by his wife and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators from the Jahun Divisional Police Headquarters launched an inquiry and quickly detained the wife as the main suspect.

READ ALSO:

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted to putting rat poison in her husband’s food, claiming she was coerced into the marriage by her parents, which fueled resentment that led to the deadly act. Police have confirmed that a full investigation is underway, and the suspect will face court charges once the investigation is complete.

The Commissioner of Police has urged the public to remain calm, stressing that marital disputes should never escalate to violence, and warning that such actions have irreversible consequences. The tragic case highlights growing concerns over domestic poisoning and marital-related crimes in the region.

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

metro

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

Published

1 hour ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Niger State Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that six people were killed by suspected bandits in the Wawa community of Borgu Local Government Area, intensifying concerns over the growing security crisis in rural Niger State.

Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that the attack occurred on January 22, 2026, when the victims — including farmers and a local vigilante — were ambushed while heading to their farms near Damala village. Two other people remain missing, and search operations are ongoing.

READ ALSO:

Local residents described the incident as devastating, urging the state and federal governments to take urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities from frequent bandit attacks.

This latest incident is part of a broader pattern of banditry in Niger State and neighbouring areas. Recent attacks in Damala village, Woko District, and Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community have left dozens dead, properties destroyed, and residents displaced, highlighting the escalating rural insecurity in the region.

Authorities have vowed to strengthen security operations, while experts warn that continued attacks threaten socioeconomic stability, displace local populations, and erode confidence in local law enforcement.

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

metro

DSS Silent as NAPO Leader, Two Others Held Incommunicado

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

President General of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe

DSS Silent as NAPO Leader, Two Others Held Incommunicad

The whereabouts of the President General of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe and two other union officials, Mr Tuwonimi Benstowe and Mr Michael Mbata remain unknown, following their alleged arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Rivers State, according to their lawyer.

NAPO’s counsel said the union leader and his colleagues were picked up during a security operation in Finima, Bonny Local Government Area, but have since been held incommunicado, with no official confirmation from the DSS on their detention or location. The development has sparked growing concern among family members, labour unions and civil society groups.

READ ALSO:

The lawyer described the action as unlawful and a violation of the detainees’ fundamental human rights, noting that security agencies are required by law to disclose the whereabouts of arrested persons and grant them access to legal representation.

The arrests reportedly followed rising tensions linked to NAPO’s labour activities, including a recent warning strike by plant operators working on the NLNG Train 7 project in Bonny. The union had protested alleged irregular salary deductions and tax remittance issues, which were also the subject of a pending case before the National Industrial Court.

Labour rights advocates have warned that the continued silence of the DSS could undermine due process and escalate industrial unrest, calling for the immediate disclosure of the detainees’ location or their release.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official response from the DSS have remained unsuccessful, while pressure continues to mount on authorities to respect the rule of law and constitutional safeguards.