FG blamed for failure to enforce Supreme Court ruling on local council caretaker committees

The former former Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa has questioned FG’s release of funds to states for unconstitutional caretaker committees despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.

In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, while reviewing the ongoing happenings in Rivers State, Aondoakaa questioned why the Federal Government continued to release funds in relation to caretaker committees to states despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against their legality.

“The best way Rivers could have been resolved is through a political and amicable solution. Where conflicting judgements come from the same state courts of coordinate jurisdiction, it becomes very difficult because the party who is affected can choose which one to accept and which one to reject. That is what is happening. The federal high court and the state high court have concurrent jurisdiction in terms of their judgment. No one is superior. The matter is in court and that is why I did not comment on it. Caretaker committee abinitio has been ruled by the supreme court to be illegal and it is just unfortunate that we are not prepared to enforce the law.

“I had expected that the supreme court having clearly stated that the caretaker committee is illegal, the appropriate thing would have been the federal government not to assist to commit an illegality. If the supreme court had given judgement that caretaker committees are illegal and that they are in violation of the constitution, why then did the federal state release funds relating to caretaker committees to the states? Because the federal government in view of this judgement that has been subsisting, in respect to the supreme court can hold back those funds until they do a proper election.

“Can’t we for once look at the judgement of the supreme court and say you have not done election and I cannot lease money to an illegal board?”

He also lauded President Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in advocating for the autonomy and functionality of local governments, the third tier of government in Nigeria’s federal structure.

“I will give a pass mark to the electorates who have kept faith to ensure that democracy thrives up to 25 years in spite of the extreme conditions we find ourselves in. I will also give a pass mark to president Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the area he is trying to make sure that the local government, that is the third tier of government, remains independent and functional.”