Court Restrains AGF, CBN, RAMFC, Others From Withholding Kano LG Allocations

An interim order preventing certain federal agencies from withholding the monthly allocations due to the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State, has been issued by Justice Ibrahim Musa Muhammad of the  Kano State High Court.

These federal agencies include, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC).

The ruling follows an urgent application filed by the plaintiffs, including Ibrahim Muhd, Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and other local government representatives.

Their legal team, headed by Bashir Yusuf Muhammad Esq. and Usman Bala Salisu Esq., sought the court’s intervention after the federal entities reportedly delayed or withheld the allocations.

The defendants in the case include the AGF, the CBN, RAMFC, the Accountant General of the Federation, and commercial banks, among others.

The court also approved the delivery of court documents to the defendants via courier, appointing Red Star Express Plc as the designated special bailiff for the task.

A copy of the court order states: “An Order of Interim Injunction is hereby granted restraining the 45th to 54th Respondents…from withholding, refusing to disburse, delaying, deferring, or suspending the monthly allocation from the Federation Account to the 44 Local Governments of Kano State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

In his ruling, Justice Muhammad granted an interim injunction to prevent any further withholding, refusal, delay, or suspension of funds from the Federation Account to the local governments in Kano.

The case has been adjourned to November 21, 2024, for a full hearing on the Motion on Notice.