The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has condemned the illegal dissolution and takeover of local government administration by state governors, labeling it a treasonable offense.
Speaking at an event organized by the Nigeria Bar Association in Abuja on Wednesday, Fagbemi, represented by the Director of Civil Appeals in the Ministry of Justice, Tijani Gazali, expressed concern over the ongoing violations of constitutional provisions. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling and clear constitutional protections, some governors and state assemblies persist in dissolving elected local government councils without adhering to legal procedures.
Fagbemi further criticized state Attorneys General and Commissioners for Justice, accusing them of failing to offer proper legal counsel to their governors on the matter. He urged for strict penalties to be enforced against any governor continuing to engage in such unlawful actions, emphasizing the need for accountability and the protection of local government autonomy.
