Lawyer Sues Benue State Government Over Control Of Local Council Finances

A Nigerian lawyer, Sesugh Akume, has taken the Benue State Government
to court over its alleged control of local government finances.

Akume wants the Benue State Government to do away with the arbitrary
powers of the governor to remove duly-elected local government
chairmen and control council finances.

In a copy of the court document dated August 27, 2020 and obtained by
SaharaReporters, Akume gave the state government eight days to declare
that the Local Government Law 2007 of the state contradicts section
36(5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

The lawyer wants the state government to declare that it does not
deduct from the funds of local governments except those guaranteed by
sections 72 and 76 of the Local Government Law 2007.

Furthermore, Akume wants the state government to declare: “That
sections 78(4) and 79(2) of the Local Government Law 2007, Laws of
Benue State are at variance and contradict section 162(5)(7)(8) of the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and
is therefore unlawful, null and void and expunged from the Local
Government Law 2007, Laws of Benue State.”