LG Crisis: Ozekhome Slams AGF, Says FG Should Release Withheld Osun Funds To PDP Council Officials

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has faulted the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), over his role in the withholding of allocations meant for local governments in Osun State.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that the federal government has seized the Osun LG allocations since February due to the ongoing leadership tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over the control of the council secretariats.

But Ozekhome, while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, urged the federal government to release the withheld allocations meant for local governments in Osun State to the council officials elected under the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Senior lawyer also urged the Federal Government to separate the office of the Attorney General of the Federation from that of the Minister of Justice, warning that combining the two undermines justice delivery.

He noted that the Attorney General, as the country’s Chief Law Officer, should remain impartial.

He recalled how a High Court nullified the elections that brought All Progressives Congress council officials to office, yet the Attorney General still wrote a letter directing funds to them.
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‎“He knew very well they had been sacked from office and never reinstated by any court of law.

“So as of today, after the court gave the go-ahead for a new election and the PDP councillors and chairmen won, there should be nothing stopping them from receiving the funds,” Ozekhome said.

He added, “The Attorney General should stamp his feet on the ground and say no to politics, yes to my role as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, whose allegiance is not to the federal government but to the Federation.

‎“If the Attorney General failed to give the President the right advice, it is a failure on his part. And if he did give that advice, and Mr. President refused, all he needed to do was resign from office.”

He also said President Tinubu’s administration must learn from history, adding that, ‎“The Supreme Court held that the federal government could never withhold the funds made for local governments in the state,” he reminded, referencing the 2004 case between Lagos State and the federal government during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.

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