Hearing in the suit filed by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) against the federal and state governments was stalled Tuesday due to the absence of Justice Inyang Ekwo at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The case has been adjourned to May 29, 2025.
ALGON is suing over the alleged failure to implement a Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 11, 2024, which granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils. The association claims nine months after the ruling, both federal and state governments have yet to comply.
The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/353/2025) lists 24 defendants, including the AGF, Finance Ministry, CBN, NNPC, state finance commissioners, commercial banks, and others. ALGON is demanding that local governments be given seats at FAAC meetings and that funds not be disbursed without its consent.
The CBN and other defendants have challenged the suit’s jurisdiction, arguing ALGON lacks constitutional standing. In response, ALGON insists it is a legally registered body mandated to defend local governments’ interests.
